Colossus of Rhodes

Colossus
of Rhodes

page 3

Toppled

In 226 BC, a devastating earthquake toppled the Colossus of Rhodes. The statue broke at its knees, its weakest structural zone. Thus, "Colossus knee" is the architectural equivalent to "Achilles heel".

Reconstruction offer

Egypt's ruler Ptolemy III offered to pay for the reconstruction of the fallen Colossus. Rhodes turned down his donation because an oracle predicted that it would displease Helios, the island's patron god.

In ruins

The fallen pieces of this Seven Wonder were generally left alone for over 800 years. Travelers admired what remained of the Colossus of Rhodes, as did the Roman historian Pliny. He wrote, "Even as it lies, it excites our wonder and admiration."

Gone forever

In 654 AD, the Arabs invaded Rhodes. They soon salvaged the Colossus of Rhodes remnants and sold them as scrap metal. Nothing remains.

Rhodes today

The island is a popular tourist destination. It has two Hillman Wonders Bronze Medal winners - Rhodes Old Town and the Lindos Acropolis.