The Colossus of Rhodes was a massive statue of the Greek sun god Helios that stood guard at the entrance to the harbor of Rhodes, a city-state located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a list of the most remarkable and impressive structures of the ancient world as determined by ancient Greek historians.
The Colossus of Rhodes was constructed in the 3rd century BC by the people of Rhodes to commemorate their victory over the invading army of the Greek general Antigonus. The statue was designed by the Greek sculptor Chares of Lindos and was built using bronze, iron, and stone. It stood over 100 feet tall and was so large that it was said to be visible from the island of Samos, which was located several miles away.
According to legend, the Colossus of Rhodes was constructed in just 12 years and was completed in 280 BC. It was built on the island's acropolis, or high city, and stood atop a pedestal with its arms outstretched, holding a torch in one hand and a spear in the other. The statue was a symbol of the city's wealth and power, and it was a popular destination for travelers and tourists.
Unfortunately, the Colossus of Rhodes did not stand for long. In 224 BC, the island of Rhodes was hit by a massive earthquake, and the Colossus was severely damaged. The statue's legs were broken and it fell to the ground, where it lay for over 800 years. In 654 AD, the Byzantine Emperor Constans II ordered the Colossus to be dismantled and its bronze and iron to be used for the construction of his own palace in Constantinople.
Despite its short lifespan, the Colossus of Rhodes remains an enduring symbol of the ancient world and one of the most famous structures in history. Its impressive size and grandeur have inspired countless artists and writers over the centuries, and it continues to be remembered as a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the ancient Greeks.
The Colossus of Rhodes (film)
. Colossus of Rhodes Linguistic Ancient designations The ancient Greek terms were. Overview of the Statue of Zeus. Maryon from 1956 is often used. Regardless of method, after twelve years the Colossus of Rhodes was completed in 280 BCE. Bronze is a mixture of iron and copper. It was said to be 70 cubits 105 feet tall, and it depicted the sun god Helios.
Retrieved 25 July 2016. Other descriptions include the statue holding a torch, similar to the Statue of Liberty, and one of Helios shielding his eyes from the sun. What city is the Colossus of Rhodes in? If the statue was constructed at the harbor, this method would have been impossible to do. Finally, Demetrius sued for peace and ended the siege in defeat in 304 B. Modern Imperialism and Colonialism: A Global Perspective. The Colossus of Rhodes is often mentioned in ancient literature - gladly as an example of exaggerated size and megalomania. While holidaying in Rhodes, an Athenian war hero becomes involved in two plots to overthrow the tyrannical king: one from Rhodian patriots, and the other from sinister Phoenician agents.
It is recognized as having been one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a pantheon of architectural triumphs from antiquity. In spite of changing empires, the remains of the great statue stayed in the city. The Colossus of Rhodes in art There is no ancient representation or description of the Colossus of Rhodes. According to this legend, the Colossus of Rhodes stood with its feet on the ends of the ancient piers and took a step of about 750 meters. In ancient times, the Colossus of Rhodes location was at the mouth of this harbor.
To celebrate, they decided to erect a statue of the sun-god Helios. According to a description by Pliny the Elder, huge cavities gaped in the broken limbs and only very tall men were able to grasp the statue's thumb with their arms. Its success soon But Demetrius succeeded only in laying siege to Rhodes. However, its popularity was such that it was described and reproduced several times, and by crossing this information it came to be known that it was an almost naked man wearing a crown of solar rays on his head and brandishing a torch. New York, NY: 9780618001903.
For to the descendants of Herakles belongs dominion over sea and land. Entering the Pyramids Tourists are allowed to enter all three of the great pyramids, for a fee, of course. Some representations Symbolism Beyond a desire to please the God Helios, the protector of Rhodes, the inhabitants knew that building the largest statue ever made on Earth would increase the prestige of their island. Location There is some debate among historians and archaeologists over the position of the Colossus and its representation. Rhodes announced that it was his intention, either with the help of his friends or by himself, to continue the telegraph northwards, across the Monte Cristo means to cross the Soudan.
Pliny remarked: But that which is by far the most worthy of our admiration, is the colossal statue of the Sun, which stood formerly at Rhodes, and was the work of Chares the Lindian, a pupil of the above-named Lysippus; no less than seventy cubits in height. Clarendon Press — Oxford. They erected several monuments in the city that recorded and celebrated the event for posterity. This means the Colossus of Rhodes only stood for 54 years. This formed a statue of unharmonious but solid form.
Modern engineers believe that have an idea of how the statue itself was constructed. It shows they championed freedom and independence and this statue was meant to be a beacon of those ideals, visible for all those who sailed near the harbor. Bulletin de Correspondance Hellenique 56 1932 , pp. When was the Colossus of Rhodes destroyed? Is the temple of Zeus still standing? He loaded the bronze onto 900 camels and off he went. In ancient times, few things inspired awe like the Colossus of Rhodes. Cinema Italiano — The Complete Guide From Classics To Cult. This, then, is the most excellent of the votive offerings at any rate, it is by common agreement one of the Seven Wonders.
The statue itself is estimated to have been about 33 meters 108 ft tall. 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. Nevertheless, he too drew a picture in the tradition of van Heemskerck. This would have been more than enough money to commission something of this nature and the process began. Bronze casting in tiers is technically possible, but the archaeologically proven technique speaks against its use in Rhodes. Colossus of Rhodes - Book of Knowledge 1911 The frame was made out of wood and next individually cast bronze plates that were 1,500 mm 60 in with turned in edges were riveted together to form a series of rings. The colossus of Rhodes was a gigantic statue located near the port of the city of Rhodes, the main town of the island of the same name.
The Colossus Of Rhodes: The Ancient Wonder Destroyed By A Massive Earthquake
In modern illustrations of the Seven Wonders of the World, however, the reconstruction by H. It is located in the Mediterranean, in the Aegean Sea, near the Turkish coast and is the largest of the Greek islands of this sea. It is true that in the 18th century doubts were raised about the accuracy of the legend. There is no doubt that other funding had to be found, but it is not known in what proportion it was or who contributed it. The port of the capital, also named Rhodes is the place where the statue was located but no one knows the exact location. The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Called the Colossus of Rhodes, it was one of the largest statues ever created in history and the fate of which is generally unknown.
What Happened to the Colossus of Rhodes? Within it, too, are to be seen large masses of rock, by the weight of which the artist steadied it while erecting it. An all-out assault of the rebels on the Colossus is foiled by its formidable arsenal, which forces them to retreat into the city. When the statue was completed, the dirt was removed and the statue was visible in all its glory. What did the Colossus of Rhodes really look like? The feet were carved in stone and covered with thin bronze plates riveted together. Still even further, people debate that the Colossus was situated on a breakwater in the harbor itself.
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