Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, was destroyed in an earthquake in 226 BC.
Colossus of Rhodes
The city-state of Rhodes was formed in 408 BC on a Greek island when three smaller cities united to make one large city. The city prospered for hundreds of years due to its prime location as a trade port. It was famous for its shipbuilders, as well as for its giant bronze statue, called the Colossus of Rhodes, which was considered one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. It was a statue of the Greek Titan Helios and it stood over 100 feet high. It was constructed to celebrate Rhodes’ victory over the ruler of Cyprus, whose son unsuccessfully besieged Rhodes in 305 BC. Before its destruction in the earthquake of 226 BC, the Colossus of Rhodes was one of the tallest statues of the ancient world. Following the earthquake, the statue lay in place for nearly eight centuries before being sold off by invaders.
At the time of the earthquake, Rhodes was one of the major trading cities of the Mediterranean Sea, and it had survived threats from larger neighbors.. Some historical images, like the one above, show the Colossus straddling the harbor entrance, an impossible feat, given the bronze-casting technology of the time.
According to the ancient writer Strabo, the statue had broken off at the knees in the earthquake that also destroyed the city. Strabo reports that an oracle told the citizens of Rhodes not to rebuild the Colossus, and an offer by Ptolemy III of Egypt to pay for its reconstruction was turned down. Respect for the culture and economic importance of the city was such that Greek cities across the region offered assistance to help rebuild it.
An 1880 image of the Colossus of Rhodes is likely a more realistic portrayal
Respect for the Strength of Rhodes
Respect for the culture and strength of Rhodes, and for the Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta, inspired Schlage Lock Company to choose those names for its ND Series lockset designs. The ND-Series has long been one of Schlage’s best selling mechanical locks for good reason – it’s tough, durable, Grade 1 rated and fits a wide variety of applications.
For more than 90 years, Schlage has created the strongest, most technologically advanced security products for schools, hospitals, hotels, commercial and institutional buildings, multi-family properties and homes.
Schlage ND Series lockset in Rhodes design
From durable mechanical locks to comprehensive electronic access control solutions and biometrics, Schlage provides protection at critical moments – when property and personal security are at stake. With a wide range of products, styles and finishes, Schlage has products for the most demanding project specifications.