The Colossus of Rhodes was completed around the year 290 BC after 12 years of construction. Responsible for the operations financed by the sale of the abandoned siege construction material showed Chares, a resident from Lindos. In several sources the Colossus a height of 80 cubits (35 m) is granted. The cast bronze statue of the god supposedly stood on a white triangular marble base. The idea that the giant had legs apart enthroned above the harbor entrance with a pan fire in his raised right hand does not coincide with the known traditions. Instead, only one base (ie, not spread) and reports about a location in the center of the city.
Even 66 years after its completion (about 224 BC) is the statue collapsed during an earthquake and broken off at the knees. Due to an oracle, "What is good is not to be moved from the spot." is the colossus then been left almost 900 years from now. From an old tradition of Pliny we learn: "The sun colossus excited but even more so in the lying wonder of all who see him only a few can include his thumb, the fingers are greatr than (usually all) of statues.." After the conquest of the island by the Arabs anno 653 AD and the remaining are still bottom of the Erzkolosses was torn down by the marble base and taken away to melt all the ore pulp to Edessa.
