Pharos

(fa'ros.) A lighthouse, or lofty building near the sea, where a fire or light is kept burning during the night, to serve as a beacon to ve els. The lighthouse built by Ptolemy Soter, on the small island of Pharos, opposite to Alexandria, was the most celebrated structure of the kind in ancient times, and gave its name to all others. It is said that it was 500 feet high, and that its light could be seen at the distance of 42 miles. This lighthouse was considered one of the wonders of the world. [s. 703]