The Ancient World

• Mausoleums received their name from King Mausolus of Caria in Asia Minor. The Mausoleum of Halicarnassus was built in his honor during the Classical Era. However, academic debate exists on whether it was the Greeks, Persians, Chinese or Indians to have first built mausoleums.
  
  

The Middle Ages

• Many regions and faiths in the medieval and Renaissance eras favored mausoleums for burial. The combination of a desire of the powerful to impress the masses and folklore related to the bubonic plague led to this spurt. Famous mausoleums from the medieval and Renaissance eras include the Taj Mahal and the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan.
  
  

Modern Era

• In the modern era, mausoleums became affordable to middle class individuals around the world. Just as importantly, many world leaders were honored with ornate mausoleums after death. Among others, Queen Victoria, Kemal Ataturk, Ho Chi Minh, Lenin and Mao are all buried in large mausoleum complexes.