<P> The Colossus of Rhodes (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 Demetrius I of Macedon 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>

What was the purpose of the colossus of rhodes