The Famous Colossus of Rhodos (1779) The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek Titan god of the sun Helios, erected in the city of Rhodes, on the Greek island of the same name, by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was constructed to celebrate the successful defence of Rhodes city against an attack by Demetrius I of Macedon, who had besieged it for a year with a large army and navy. According to most contemporary descriptions, the Colossus stood approximately 70 cubits, or 33 metres (108 feet) high – approximately the height of the modern Statue of Liberty from feet to crown – making it the tallest statue in the ancient world. It collapsed during the earthquake of 226 BC, although parts of it were preserved. Hand colored copper engraving published in 1779 in London in ´ A New and Complete System of Geography containing a full accurate, authentic and interesting account and description of Europe, Asia, Africa and America etc. by Charles Theodore Middleton printed fo J.Cooke Pater-noster Row, London. Image 15,5x25,5cm, page 23x36cm