To you, O Sun, the people of Dorian Rhodes set up this bronze statue reaching to Olympus, when they had pacified the waves of war and crowned their city with the spoils taken from the enemy. Not only over the seas but also on land did they kindle the lovely torch of freedom and independence. For to the descendants of Herakles belongs dominion over sea and land.
Collapse (226 BC)[edit]
Artist's conception from the Grolier Society's 1911 Book of Knowledge
Further information: 226 BC Rhodes earthquake
The statue stood for 54 years until a 226 BC earthquake caused significant damage to large portions of Rhodes, including the harbour and commercial buildings, which were destroyed.[19] The statue snapped at the knees and fell over onto land. Ptolemy III offered to pay for the reconstruction of the statue, but the Oracle of Delphi made the Rhodians fear that they had offended Helios, and they declined to rebuild it.[citation needed]

Fallen state (226 BC to 653 AD)[edit]
The remains lay on the ground for over 800 years, and even broken, they were so impressive that many travelled to see them.
