The Colossus of Rhodes was a massive statue that stood on the Greek island of Rhodes in the 3rd century BC. The statue was a depiction of the Greek sun god, Helios, who was said to have been the patron god of the island. Standing at over 100 feet tall, the Colossus of Rhodes was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The statue was created by the sculptor Chares of Lindos, who spent over 12 years constructing the massive bronze figure. The Colossus was said to have straddled the entrance to the harbor of Rhodes, with its legs on either side of the harbor entrance and its arms stretched out in a welcoming gesture to sailors approaching the island. Unfortunately, the Colossus of Rhodes stood for only a relatively short time before it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC. The statue lay in ruins for centuries before it was eventually dismantled and sold off as scrap metal. Despite its short lifespan, the Colossus of Rhodes remains one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Greece. Its image has been immortalized in countless works of art and literature, and its legacy lives on in the modern world. Today, visitors to the island of Rhodes can still see remnants of the Colossus, including the stone base on which the statue once stood. The site serves as a reminder of the island's rich history and the enduring legacy of the ancient Greeks. For more information on the Colossus of Rhodes and its significance in ancient Greek culture, visit [https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colossus-of-rhodes](https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colossus-of-rhodes). Learn about the history of the statue and its cultural impact on the island of Rhodes and beyond. In conclusion, the Colossus of Rhodes was a monumental statue that depicted the Greek sun god, Helios. Despite its destruction, the statue remains a powerful symbol of ancient Greek culture and continues to capture the imagination of people around the world.

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