<P> The Colossus of Rhodes / roʊdz / (Ancient Greek: ὁ Κολοσσὸς Ῥόδιος, translit . ho Kolossòs Rhódios) was a statue of the Greek sun - god 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 Rhodes' victory over the ruler of Cyprus, Antigonus I Monophthalmus, whose son unsuccessfully besieged Rhodes in 305 BC . According to most contemporary descriptions, the Colossus stood approximately 70 cubits, or 33 metres (108 feet) high--the approximate height of the modern Statue of Liberty from feet to crown--making it the tallest statue of the ancient world . It collapsed during the earthquake of 226 BC; although parts of it were preserved, it was never rebuilt . </P> <P> As of 2015, there are tentative plans to build a new Colossus at Rhodes Harbour, although the actual location of the original remains in dispute . </P> <P> In the late 4th century BC, Rhodes, allied with Ptolemy I of Egypt, prevented a mass invasion staged by their common enemy, Antigonus I Monophthalmus . </P> <P> In 304 BC a relief force of ships sent by Ptolemy arrived, and Demetrius (son of Antigonus) and his army abandoned the siege, leaving behind most of their siege equipment . To celebrate their victory, the Rhodians sold the equipment left behind for 300 talents and decided to use the money to build a colossal statue of their patron god, Helios . Construction was left to the direction of Chares, a native of Lindos in Rhodes, who had been involved with large - scale statues before . His teacher, the sculptor Lysippos, had constructed a 22 - metre - high (72 - foot) bronze statue of Zeus at Tarentum . </P>

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