Imagine a statue so colossal it rivaled the Great Pyramid of Giza, a bronze giant that once stood guard over an ancient harbour. This wasn’t a figment of mythology, but a real engineering feat that left the ancient world in awe: the Colossus of Rhodes.
One of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, the Colossus of Rhodes, was a towering bronze statue of the Greek Sun god Helios, created by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC.
Standing approximately 33 metres, this engineering marvel not only matched the grandeur of the Lighthouse of Alexandria but also served as a lasting symbol of Rhodes’ triumph and resilience.
Purpose behind the colossal creation
The Colossus commemorated Rhodes’ victory over the Macedonian forces led by Demetrius I, a general under Alexander the Great. After repelling the siege, the Rhodians repurposed the abandoned war machines to fund the creation of this symbol of triumph and autonomy. Positioned at the harbour’s entrance, the statue served as a sentinel of Rhodes and a symbol of the city’s resilience and independence.
Although often depicted with a torch, historical evidence suggests that the Colossus likely stood with arms at its side or outstretched. Its strategic placement symbolised the city’s victory and echoed the spirit of liberty similar to that of the Statue of Liberty, also referred to as the 'Modern Colossus'.
Emma Lazarus’ sonnet 'The New Colossus', written to support the Statue of Liberty’s construction, further links these iconic symbols of freedom. The poem is inscribed on a bronze plaque on the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal.
How was the Colossus built?
The construction of the Colossus spanned over 12 years. Bronze, a strong alloy of copper and tin, was chosen because it could endure the harsh marine environment. The statue’s core structure involved an iron framework overlaid with intricately sculpted bronze plates that formed Helios’ external appearance.
The building process included extensive earthworks for support during assembly, later dismantled to reveal the finished form. The bronze surface, composed of interlocked plates, created a seamless exterior. Furthermore, the inner iron and stone framework provided essential support, with materials sourced from the repurposed bronze of Macedonian war machines.
Mysteries surrounding the statue’s location
While the statue’s existence is undisputed, its location remains a mystery. Contrary to popular post-classical depictions of the Colossus straddling the harbour entrance, historical evidence suggests it likely stood beside the harbour.
The precise spot remains uncertain, though the eastern side of the harbour is considered the most probable location based on historical analysis.
Alternatively, some evidence points towards the high city centre, near a sanctuary dedicated to Helios, where related inscriptions and architectural remnants have been found.
The collapse of the Colossus
Despite its grandeur, the Colossus was not destined to stand the test of time. In 226 BC, a devastating earthquake struck Rhodes, causing the statue to break at the knees and collapse. When King Ptolemy III of Egypt learnt about the disgrace, he offered to pay for the reconstruction of the famous statue.
The Rhodians were hesitant, fearing to offend their God Helios, and after asking the oracle of Delphi, they decided not to rebuild it. It is known that the statue stood in its place for only 54 years.
What remains of the structure?
After the statue of Rhodes collapsed, its remains stayed on the ground for more than 800 years, drawing visitors far and wide due to their impressive scale. To this day, the ultimate fate of the statue’s remains is uncertain. Historical accounts vary, with some suggesting that the remains were ultimately sold off by the Arabs who captured Rhodes in 654 AD.
Another theory considers the various opportunities for authorities to have repurposed the metal to assert that the metal was likely repurposed before the Arabs arrived, possibly used to mint coins or for other useful objectives. No trace of the original Colossus survives today, and no complete replicas exist.
Will there be another Colossus of Rhodes?
Several ambitious proposals in the recent past have aimed to resurrect the Colossus of Rhodes. In 1999, a reconstruction was planned to coincide with the new millennium and was meant to be unveiled at the 2004 Athens Olympics, but it was never realised.
A 2008 initiative, reported by The Guardian, envisioned a new Colossus at the harbour entrance by German artist Gert Hof: a €200m giant light sculpture made from melted-down weapons. However, this, too, did not materialise.
More recently, in 2015, a team of European architects proposed a 150m-tall statue that would house a cultural centre, library, and exhibition hall powered by solar panels.
Funded by private donations and crowdsourcing, this plan also fell through as the supporting website eventually went offline. These repeated attempts highlight the enduring fascination and challenges of recreating the ancient marvel.