In the year 377 BC, the city of Halicarnassus was the capital of a small kingdom along the Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor. It was this year, the sovereign of this country, Mylasa Hecatomnus expired, and left the organization in the kingdom in the hands of his son, Mausolus. Who was energetic and given the strength of most cities and surrounding areas.

Mausolos with the queen Artemisia, ruled over Halicarnassus and the surrounding areas for 24 years. Then around 353 BC, spread Mausole died, Artemisia, who, who (including his sister, was a tradition for leaders of Caria by marrying their own sisters) Gram-As a mark of respect for him that they had intend to build one of the most beautiful tomb in the world. It became a structure so important Mausole name is now connected to the imperial tombs of our modern word mausoleum. The building is attractive and so unusual that it was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Artemisia said that no cost has been cut in the construction of the mausoleum. The tomb is located on a hill outside the city. The whole structure sat in an enclosed courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard, a raised stone area was placed on the grave. A staircase, flanked by stone lions at the top of this platform. Located in the middle of the platform was the tomb itself. Suspended above the tomb was the penultimate work of sculpture: Four massive horses to ride in which images of Mausolus and Artemis.

Almost immediately after construction of the tomb started Artemisia was a shortage of depth. Artemisa survived only two years after the death of her husband. Both should be buried in the remains incomplete. Expected to remain after the famous historian Pliny, the craftsmen and complete work according to their benefactors expired.The the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the city for several centuries.

In about 1846 the Museum sent the archaeologist Charles Thomas Newton to search for remains of the mausoleum. Diggers down, Newton discovered part completely close the tunnels he dug under the surrounding plots. He saw a number of walls, stairs, and so three of the four corners of the base.

Newton then excavated the site and discover traces of the reliefs that decorated the walls of the structure and components of the stage roof. Even a car conked stone wheel was about seven meters in diameter, suspended by the statue on the roof. Finally, he found pictures of Mausolus and Artemis, which had been affixed to the top of the building. Currently, the plant is placed in the Mausoleum Room at the British Museum