The Colossus of Rhodes, a gigantic bronze statue, was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC. During this earthquake, the legs of the statue gave way, causing it to collapse. That's how this wonder of the ancient world was destroyed.
The Colossus of Rhodes was built around 280 BC on the Greek island of Rhodes. It is a giant statue representing the sun god Helios, created to celebrate an important military victory of the island's inhabitants against an invasion attempt. At the time it was erected, this colossus was a true symbol of wealth and prestige for the Rhodians. It clearly demonstrated their economic power, based on a thriving maritime trade in the Mediterranean. For nearly 54 years, the Colossus stood, attracting curious visitors and travelers from across the ancient world, who were impressed by its size and the technical skill required to achieve such a feat. Rhodes then became a prosperous and respected island throughout the region, until the fateful moment when nature intervened.
In 226 BC, a powerful earthquake violently shook the island of Rhodes, located in the Aegean Sea. This earthquake was devastating: collapsed houses, cracked walls, monuments reduced to rubble, and the famous Colossus suffered significant damage. The tremors were strong enough to cause fractures of the knees, leading to the partial collapse of the gigantic statue. Essentially, in just a few minutes, the wonder was brought down after only about sixty years of proudly dominating the horizon. This natural event was one of the most significant ancient disasters in the region.
During the earthquake in 226 BC, the statue, about 30 meters tall, sustained major damage. Its legs, the most fragile part, cracked under its own weight, leading to a break at the knees. On the ground, the colossus shattered into several large pieces. Although some parts remained relatively intact, the internal iron structure was twisted or broken, making the whole unstable and impossible to lift as it was. The once-solid metal thus became a weak point, exacerbating the damage caused by the tremors. As a result, the giant, once a symbol of power, ended up scattered on the ground, in impressive but now useless pieces.
Rebuilding the Colossus would have cost a fortune and taken years of hard work. The inhabitants of Rhodes consulted an oracle at Delphi who advised them not to rebuild the statue, which they chose to respect out of superstition. Then there were also trade exchanges: the ruins represented a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from everywhere to admire these immense pieces of bronze. Ultimately, the island needed money elsewhere, particularly to repair its ports and fortifications—enough to forget the idea of embarking on such a colossal project.
After its destruction by an earthquake, the broken fragments of the Colossus lay on the ground for nearly 800 years, attracting many visitors who were amazed by their impressive size.
Did you know that at the time of its existence, the giant statue stood about 33 meters tall (almost equivalent to a modern ten-story building)? The technical expertise required to construct such a bronze statue at that time is still impressive.
The ruins of the Colossus were finally sold in the 7th century by Arab invaders, transported by ship, and melted down. According to historical accounts, it would have taken about 900 camels to transport all the recovered bronze!
Although popular, the idea that the Colossus of Rhodes stood with its legs straddling the entrance to the harbor is now considered a myth. In reality, the statue probably stood upright, with its feet together, on a pedestal near the port.
The Colossus of Rhodes was erected to celebrate the victory of the Rhodians in the siege led by Demetrius Poliorcetes in 305 BC. The statue also represented the Greek sun god Helios, intended to symbolize power, protection, and prestige.
The Colossus was primarily made of bronze fixed onto an internal framework of iron and stone. This construction was impressive and ambitious for its time, but it made it vulnerable to the effects of significant seismic shocks.
No, unfortunately there are no visible remains today. The ruins are said to have been sold as scrap metal by Arab merchants around 654 AD, after having lain on the ground for several centuries.
Several reasons explain the absence of reconstruction, notably the significant expenses required for such a project. Additionally, the local authorities at the time viewed the fall of the statue as a divine manifestation that was better respected by not rebuilding it.
The Colossus of Rhodes remained intact for only about 54 years, from 280 BC, when it was completed, until the earthquake of 226 BC.
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