About Colossus of Rhodes: The Colossus of Rhodes was a massive bronze statue of the sun god Helios, built on the Greek island of Rhodes to celebrate the city's successful defense against an invading army. Standing about as tall as the Statue of Liberty (without its pedestal), it towered over the harbor — though, despite the popular legend, it almost certainly did not straddle the harbor entrance with ships sailing between its legs. A Short Life, A Long Legend — It stood for barely half a century, yet its legend has lasted more than 2,000 years.

Location: Rhodes, Greece · Built: Around 280 BC · Height: About 33 m (108 ft) tall · Purpose: A victory monument · Subject: Helios, the sun god Rhodes considered Helios its patron deity. · Materials: Bronze over an iron frame · Destruction: Toppled by an earthquake in 226 BC · Famous Myth: Did NOT straddle the harbor · Status Today: Remains sold for scrap centuries later