The island formed an important economic centre in the ancient world. It was located off the southwestern tip of Asia Minor where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean. When Alexander died of a fever at an early age, his generals fought bitterly among themselves for control of Alexander's vast kingdom. Three of them, Ptolemy, Seleucus, and Antigous, succeeded in dividing the kingdom among themselves. It was said as high as 105 feet high.
Legend has it that it straddled the entrance to the harbour, but it probably stood to one side.
The Statue of Liberty, roughly of the same size, weighs 225 tons. The Colossus, which relied on weaker materials, must have weighed more than the Statue of Liberty. This Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to America and is easily recognized by people around the world. Very alike the Statue of Liberty, this colossus was also built as a celebration of freedom. The Greek sculptor Chares worked for 12 years on the statue.