19 Feb The Statue of Rhodes
The Statue of Rhodes, also known as the Colossus of Rhodes, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was a massive bronze statue of the Greek god Helios that stood on the Greek island of Rhodes for just over 50 years before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC.
The statue was built in the third century BC to celebrate the victory of the people of Rhodes over the ruler of Cyprus. The idea for the statue is said to have come from the sculptor Chares of Lindos, who was commissioned to build it. Construction of the statue took 12 years and was completed in 280 BC.
The statue was an impressive feat of engineering for its time. It stood over 30 meters (100 feet) tall, making it one of the tallest statues in the ancient world. The statue was made of bronze and iron, and its framework was built with stone and cement. The statue was designed to stand with one foot on each side of the harbor entrance, with ships passing between its legs.
The statue was adorned with many decorations, including a crown of sun rays and a cloak that flowed down the statue’s back. The statue’s base was made of marble and featured inscriptions describing the construction of the statue and the people who built it.
The statue stood for just over 50 years before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC. Some accounts suggest that the statue fell over and broke into pieces, while others suggest that it remained standing but was damaged beyond repair. Regardless of how it was destroyed, the statue was never rebuilt. Some of the statue’s remains were later reused in the construction of a fortress built on the same site.
Despite its short lifespan, the Statue of Rhodes significantly impacted the people of Rhodes and the ancient world. It symbolized their victory over their enemies and was a testament to the engineering and artistic skill of the people who built it. Even though the statue no longer stands, it remains an important part of history and a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of ancient civilizations.
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