Rhodes, Colossus

Rhodes, Colossus of

Colossus of Rhodes, constructed c. 292–280 BC, wood engraving reconstruction by Sidney …

(credit: Historical Pictures Service, Chicago)

Enormous bronze statue of the sun god Helios that towered more than 100 ft (30 m) over the harbour at the city of Rhodes in Greece. The work of Chares of Lindos, the statue commemorated the raising of Demetrios Poliorcetes' long siege of Rhodes (305–304 BC). One of the Seven Wonders of the World, it was toppled by an earthquake c. 225 BC. The fallen Colossus was left in place until AD 653, when raiding Arabs broke up its remains and sold the bronze for scrap.