About Sostratus of Cnidus
Lived 300 BC – 260 BC. Sostratus of Cnidus was an engineer and architect.
Sostratus of Cnidus (; ; born 3rd century BC) was a Greek architect and engineer. He is said to have designed the lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World (c. 280 BC), on the island of Pharos off Alexandria, Egypt. This claim is disputed.
Strabo writes that the lighthouse was dedicated and presumably funded by Sostratus, a friend of Egypt's ruler, Ptolemy. Pliny says that Sostratus was the architect and that Ptolemy graciously allowed him to "sign" the monument.
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Important facts
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Sostratus of Cnidus's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Sostratus of Cnidus?
ancient Greek architect
When was Sostratus of Cnidus born?
Sostratus of Cnidus was born in 300 BC in Knidos.
When did Sostratus of Cnidus die?
Sostratus of Cnidus died in 260 BC.
What was Sostratus of Cnidus's occupation?
Sostratus of Cnidus was an engineer and architect.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Sostratus of Cnidus
· DBpedia: Sostratus of Cnidus
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sostratus of Cnidus. https://biography.guide/sostratus-of-cnidus/
MLA: "Sostratus of Cnidus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sostratus-of-cnidus/.
Chicago: "Sostratus of Cnidus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sostratus-of-cnidus/.
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