The Colossus of Rhodes

The Colossus was the work of the Lianian sculptor Chares.
It was 31 meters (more than 95 feet) high and took almost twelve years
to complete. It was counted among the seven wonders of the world. It is
said that when the Rhodians vanquished Demetrios they sold the seige machines
and decided that with the money they obatined they would set up a bronze statue,
the Colossus, to commemorate their victory. It was destroyed in the earthquake of 226 BC.
The Colossus is often depicted as straddling the harbor, but historians really believe
from ancient descriptions that the statue probably was erected on a hilltop somewhere
above Rhodes Town.


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Page last updated on May 5, 2000.