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| Rhodes, Greece |
Strategically placed, the island has had a tumultuous past linked to the sea. Rhodes was inhabited already in prehistoric times. The island gradually expanded its influence and became the main commercial link in the Mediterranean.
In 408 BC the island's three important Doric cities lalissos, Lindos and Kamiros united to found the city of Rhodes on the island's northeastern edge. This marked a new era in the history of the island.
The Sun-worshipping city of Rhodes (Rodos) became an important political, commercial and religious centre. Its golden era lasted from the 5th to the 3rd century BC.
Rhodes extended its rule, minted its own coin, introduced the first maritime law rules, advanced the arts, theatre and sports. Its School of Rhetoric became famous and attracted many well-known Romans and Greeks.
In the 2nd century BC Rhodes became an ally of Rome: this led to a gradual weakening of the island, which from the 4th century AD became a Roman prefecture.
St Paul visited the island and recruited the first Christians in 57 AD; as in 395 AD the Roman Empire split, Rhodes and the other islands of the "Provincia insularum" were included in the Byzantine Empire. New seafarers attacked and often looted the city in the following centuries.
The Knights of the Order of St. John were established in Rhodes in 1309 AD. Their stay has endowed the city with a series of majestic buildings protected by a fortified wall.
From 1522 onwards the Dodecanese islands form part of the Ottoman Empire until 1912 AD, when they fell under Italian rule. The Treaty of Paris ended foreign occupation, and in March 1948 the islands were united with Greece
The Colossus of Rhodes
Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the world, was built around 304 BC by Chares the Lindios (from Lindos), in honor of Apollo the god of the sun (Helios in Greek) and patron god of Rhodes. It stood one hundred feet tall and it was located at the entrance of Mandraki harbor. Made entirely of bronze, it was then used as a lighthouse. It symbolized the strength and wealth of the Rhodian people. It is believed to have been destroyed in 226 BC by a powerful earthquake.
Ancient accounts, which differ to some degree, describe the structure as being built with iron tie bars to which brass plates were fixed to form the skin. The interior of the structure, which stood on a 15 meters (50 ft) high white marble pedestal near the Mandraki harbor entrance, was then filled with stone blocks as construction progressed. Other sources place the Colossus on a breakwater in the harbor. The statue itself was over 30 meters (107 ft) tall. Much of the iron and bronze was reforged from the various weapons Demetrius's army left behind, and the abandoned second siege tower was used for scaffolding around the lower levels during construction. Upper portions were built with the use of a large earthen ramp. During the building, workers would pile mounds of dirt on the sides of the colossus. Upon completion all of the dirt was removed and the colossus was left to stand alone. After twelve years, in 280 BC, the statue was completed.