Colossus of Rhodes
The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek sun-god Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes, on the Greek island of the same name, by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was constructed to celebrate Rhodes' victory over the ruler of Cyprus, Antigonu…
What is the meaning of the Colossus of Rhodes?
Dedication text for the Colossus. A massive statue of a male figure, the Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was built sometime around 280 BC. The statue stood tall and proud on the Greek island of Rhodes, and as ancient accounts suggest, it was built in honor of the sun god Helios.
Who is the sculptor of the Colossus of Rhodes?
Chares of Lindos. …Greek sculptor who created the Colossus of Rhodes, usually counted among the Seven Wonders of the World. A pupil of the sculptor Lysippus, Chares fashioned for the Rhodians a colossal bronze statue of the sun god Helios, the cost of which was defrayed by selling engines of war left by….
What caused the Colossus of Rhodes to fall?
The people of Rhodes had clearly offended Helios, she said, which had caused the statue to fall. She convinced them that rebuilding it could only do more damage. Though he was in pieces, the Colossus of Rhodes was still as impressive as it had ever been.
Why is there a statue of Helios on Rhodes?
The statue stood tall and proud on the Greek island of Rhodes, and as ancient accounts suggest, it was built in honor of the sun god Helios. It is also a monument to the Rhodians’ victorious defense of their island against a siege commanded by Macedonian leader Demetrius Poliorcetes in 305 BC.
Why is Colossus of Rhodes special?
The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It represented the god Helios, and was built to thank the gods for the victory over Demetrius Poliorcetes' long siege (305 BCE) of Rhodes.
What is an interesting fact about the Colossus of Rhodes?
At 98.4 feet high, the Colossus of Rhodes was one of the tallest statues of the ancient world. It only stood for 56 years until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC. When the ruler of Cyprus was defeated they left behind much of their equipment.
What did the Colossus of Rhodes do?
The Standing Colossus (280–226 BC) Not only over the seas but also on land did they kindle the lovely torch of freedom and independence. For to the descendants of Herakles belongs dominion over sea and land.
What is the Colossus of Rhodes and why was it created?
The Colossus was a huge statue built to honor the Ancient Greek god of the Sun, Helios. The people of the city of Rhodes in Greece were saved from a terrible siege and built the statue between the years 292-280 BCE to celebrate their survival.
Why was the Colossus computer important?
Colossus, the world's first electronic computer, had a single purpose: to help decipher the Lorenz-encrypted (Tunny) messages between Hitler and his generals during World War II. The Colossus Gallery houses the rebuild of Colossus and tells that remarkable story.
What was the Colossus of Rhodes made out of?
bronzeThe Colossus of Rhodes was a gigantic 33-metre-high bronze statue of the sun god Helios which stood by the harbour of that city from c. 280 BCE. Rhodes was then one of the most important trading ports in the ancient Mediterranean and the statue was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Did the Colossus of Rhodes inspire the Statue of Liberty?
The Statue of Liberty is a particularly distinguished example of the ancient statue's cultural legacy. French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi drew inspiration from the imagined appearance of the Colossus of Rhodes, as well as its symbolism, for his design of the iconic New York City figure.
What did the Colossus of Rhodes hold?
Standing on a small island in the harbor is an immense statue of a robed woman, holding a book and lifting a torch to the sky. The statue measures almost one-hundred and twenty feet from foot to crown. It is sometimes referred to as the "Modern Colossus," but more often called the Statue of Liberty.
How are the Colossus of Rhodes and the Statue of Liberty similar?
The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the third century BC. Destroyed nowadays, it is invariably represented as an almost naked man wearing a crown of sunlight and brandishing a torch. The analogy is striking with the Statue of Liberty, we are here in the true style of the work of Bartholdi.
Why was the Colossus of Rhodes one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World?
The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World identified by the Greek writer and scientist Philo of Byzantium. It was considered wondrous because of its immense size. The statue, which was in the image of the Sun god Helios, was made of bronze and stood more than 100 feet tall.
What is the meaning of the Colossus?
a statue of gigantic size and proportions1 : a statue of gigantic size and proportions. 2 : a person or thing of immense size or power.
Are there any Colossus left?
The Colossus of Rhodes was also among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Even though the statue was already destroyed and the remains are no longer available today, you can still imagine the structure if you look at the Statue of Liberty that stands at New York's harbor.
What was the Colossus of Rhodes?
The Colossus of Rhodes was a colossal statue of the Greek sun god Helios that stood in the ancient Greek city of Rhodes and was one of the Seven Wo...
What did the Colossus of Rhodes look like?
The Colossus of Rhodes was made of shaped bronze plates fastened to an iron framework. It was said to be 70 cubits (105 feet [32 metres]) tall, and...
Where did the Colossus of Rhodes stand?
It is believed that the Colossus of Rhodes stood beside Mandrákion harbour in Rhodes, Greece. The statue did not straddle the harbour entrance. Tha...
Why have there been plans to build a new Colossus of Rhodes?
Notable plans to build a new Colossus of Rhodes have been proposed in the 21st century. These plans have had manifold purposes, including creating...
What was the Colossus of Rhodes made of?
The Colossus of Rhodes was fabricated using large amounts of bronze and iron. Chares even cast bronze in various shapes for every part of this statue. Even if the island was known for its bronze castings, only a tiny part of the statue could be fitted with the bronze sheets that were cast in ordinary pits.
Why are the Rhodians called the Colossaeans?
According to Suda, the Rhodians were called Colossaeans (Κολοσσαεῖς), because they erected the statue on the island. Since 2008, a series of as-yet-unrealized proposals to build a new Colossus at Rhodes Harbour have been announced, although the actual location of the original monument remains in dispute.
How many cubits is the Colossus of Helius?
The best of these are, first, the Colossus of Helius, of which the author of the iambic verse says, "seven times ten cubits in height, the work of Chares the Lindian"; but it now lies on the ground, having been thrown down by an earthquake and broken at the knees.
How tall is the Colossus?
According to most contemporary descriptions, the Colossus stood approximately 70 cubits, or 33 metres (108 feet) ...
How long did the statue of Rhodes stand?
The statue stood for 54 years until Rhodes was hit by the 226 BC earthquake, when significant damage was also done to large portions of the city, including the harbour and commercial buildings, which were destroyed. The statue snapped at the knees and fell over onto the land.
Where is the Colossus located?
Stone foundation and partially-reconstructed temple ruins at the apex of the Acropolis of Rhodes . Archaeologist Ursula Vedder postulates that the Colossus was not located in the harbour area at all, but rather was part of the Acropolis of Rhodes, which stood on a hill that overlooks the port area.
What is the harbour straddling Colossus?
The harbour-straddling Colossus was a figment of medieval imaginations based on the dedication text's mention of "over land and sea" twice and the writings of an Italian visitor who in 1395 noted that local tradition held that the right foot had stood where the church of St John of the Colossus was then located.
What is the Colossus of Rhodes?
Historical Picture Archive/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images An engraving of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Like an ancient Lady Liberty, guarding the entrance to the New World, Colossus of Rhodes stood astride the entrance to the island’s Mandraki harbor, watching over those who passed into ...
Who built the Colossus?
Beginning in 292 B.C., Greek sculptor Chares began construction on the Colossus. For twelve years, workers forged and reforged iron and bronze left behind from military weapons to create the outer shell of the statue. As the structure was built, the body would be filled with stones.
How tall is Helios?
All accounts agree, however, that the 108-foot tall statue of Helios stood atop a 49-foot tall white marble pedestal, putting the entire height of the Colossus of Rhodes at an impressive 157-feet tall. For roughly 54 years, Colossus of Rhodes stood guard over the harbor, and dutifully served as an offering to Helios.
What did the workers do to the Colossus?
Rather than unstable scaffolding, the workers built long earthen ramps, that covered all sides of the Colossus until it resembled a gigantic anthill. Upon completion of the statue, the earth was removed, and the statue stood solitary.
What happened to Rhodes in 226 B.C.?
Then, in 226 B.C., Rhodes was hit by a devastating earthquake. Large portions of the city were damaged, as well as the harbor, but none was more horrifying than the destruction of the Colossus. Having snapped at the knees, the Colossus fell over onto the land.
Where is the Colossus statue?
The exact location of the Colossus remains unknown to this day, though ancient accounts place him at different points around Mandraki harbor.
How long did Pliny the Elder lay on the ground?
For 800 years , he lay on the ground, and for 800 years, people traveled from far and wide to come see him. Pliny the Elder wrote that people were stunned at his sheer size, noting that people could barely wrap their arms around his thumb and that his fingers were taller than most statues.
Why the Colossus of Rhodes Was Built
Construction for the statue appears to have begun around 292 B.C. It was finished in 280 B.C. and was dedicated to Helios, the god of the sun in Greek mythology. It was initially built to celebrate the triumph of Rhodes defeating Antigonus I Monophthalmus, the kind of Cyprus. His son attacked Rhodes on 305 BC.
What the Colossus of Rhodes Looked Like
The base of the statue was estimated to have a circumference of 8 meters and was a rounded or octagonal shape. The feet were cut in stone and secured with delicate bronze plates bolted together. The different parts of the statue were cast separately and were made up of a series of plates that were later assembled.
How the Statue Was Destroyed
As mentioned above, the statue was completely destroyed in an earthquake in 226 B.C but before that the people of Rhodes had over fifty hears to enjoy it. The earthquake also caused a significant harm to vast sections of the town, including the harbor and business structures.
Rhodes Statue Ruins, Last Status
Broken pieces of the Colossus, made of bronze, remained there for nearly 800 years, as no one used the statue’s remains or tried to reconstruct it. All these years some tourists have visited the site. However, later in AD 654, Arab traders came to the island and bought broken bronze pieces and started trading.
Features of the Colossus of Rhodes Statue
The Rhodes Statue was 34 meters high and stood on the 15-meter-high floor. The sun god Helios was carved using bronze collected from Demetrius’ war machines. This crowned statue of Helios was naked and his left hand held a clock. His right hand was facing the sky, closing his eyes as if protecting the harbor from the sun’s rays.
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Back in 225 BCE, Greek author and scientist Philo of Byzantium wrote a text called On the Seven Wonders. In his writing, Philo identified seven of the most awe-inspiring man-made creations that were in existence at that time. He didn't include anything that was natural, such as spectacular waterfalls, canyons, or volcanoes.
Colossus of Rhodes
The Colossus of Rhodes was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World because of its incredible size. It was a statue of Helios, the Greek god of the Sun, which stood between 100 and 110 feet tall, the tallest statue of its time.
Prompts About the Colossus of Rhodes
Create a poster, chart, or some other type of graphic organizer that lists the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Be sure that your graphic organizer also highlights the importance of Philo of Byzantium in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and also makes a note of which one is still in existence to this day.
The Colossus of Rhodes: an intriguing tale
Here is what we know: it all started – as many things historically do – over a succession feud. After Alexander the Great died, three of his most trusted generals (Antigonus, Seleucus and Prolemy) starting fighting over who would be named his successor.
The facts
Here is what we know: it all started – as many things historically do – over a succession feud. After Alexander the Great died, three of his most trusted generals (Antigonus, Seleucus and Prolemy) starting fighting over who would be named his successor.
Overview
The Colossus of Rhodes (Ancient Greek: ὁ Κολοσσὸς Ῥόδιος, romanized: ho Kolossòs Rhódios Greek: Κολοσσός της Ρόδου, romanized: Kolossós tes Rhódou) was a statue of the Greek sun-god Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes, on the Greek island of the same name, by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was constructed to celebrate the succ…
Siege of Rhodes
In the early fourth century BC, Rhodes, allied with Ptolemy I of Egypt, prevented a mass invasion staged by their common enemy, Antigonus I Monophthalmus.
In 304 BC a relief force of ships sent by Ptolemy arrived, and Demetrius (son of Antigonus) and his army abandoned the siege, leaving behind most of their siege equipment. To celebrate their victory, the Rhodians sold the equipment left behind for 300 talents and decided to use the mone…
Construction
Construction began in 292 BC. Ancient accounts, which differ to some degree, describe the structure as being built with iron tie bars to which brass plates were fixed to form the skin. The interior of the structure, which stood on a 15-metre-high (49-foot) white marble pedestal near the Rhodes harbor entrance, was then filled with stone blocks as construction progressed. Other sources place t…
The Standing Colossus (280–226 BC)
After twelve years, in 280 BC, the statue was completed. Preserved in Greek anthologies of poetry is what is believed to be the genuine dedication text for the Colossus.
To you, O Sun, the people of Dorian Rhodes set up this bronze statue reaching to Olympus, when they had pacified the waves of war and crowned their city with the spoils taken from the enemy. Not only over the seas but also on land did they kindle the lovely torch of freedom and independ…
Collapse (226 BC)
The statue stood for 54 years until a 226 BC earthquake caused significant damage to large portions of Rhodes, including the harbour and commercial buildings, which were destroyed. The statue snapped at the knees and fell over onto land. Ptolemy III offered to pay for the reconstruction of the statue, but the oracle of Delphi made the Rhodians fear that they had offended Helios, and the…
Fallen state (226 BC to 653 AD)
The remains lay on the ground for over 800 years, and even broken, they were so impressive that many travelled to see them.
The remains were described briefly by Strabo (64 or 63 BC – c. 24 AD), in his work Geography (Book XIV, Chapter 2.5). Strabo was a Greek geographer, philosopher, and historian who lived in Asia Minor during the transitional period of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Strabo i…
Destruction of the remains (653)
In 653, an Arab force under Muslim general Muawiyah I captured Rhodes, and according to the Chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor, the statue was melted down and sold to a Jewish merchant of Edessa who loaded the bronze onto 900 camels. The Arab destruction and the purported sale to a Jew possibly originated as a powerful metaphor for Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the destruction of a great statue.
Posture
The harbour-straddling Colossus was a figment of medieval imaginations based on the dedication text's mention of "over land and sea" twice and the writings of an Italian visitor who in 1395 noted that local tradition held that the right foot had stood where the church of St John of the Colossus was then located. Many later illustrations show the statue with one foot on either side of the harbour m…