The Colossus of Rhodes

At the time of the earthquake, Rhodes was an Aegean port city which was famous for the large bronze statue that stood near its harbor.[7] It was one of the major trading cities of the Mediterranean Sea, along with the city of Alexandria in Egypt. As evidenced by the taxes the city received in harbor fees, the amount of trade that passed through it was tremendous.[8] Having survived threats from larger neighbors, the city had gained the respect of the Mediterranean world.[2] The statue, known as the Colossus, had been built before 250 BC to give thanks to the gods for delivering the city safely from a Macedonian siege. Some historical images have shown the Colossus as actually straddling the harbor entrance, a feat which would have been impossible given the bronze-casting technology of the time.[7]

Significant damage was done to large portions of the city, including the harbor and commercial buildings, which were destroyed.[2] The earthquake toppled the Colossus, which lay in pieces near the harbor for centuries. According to the ancient writer Strabo, the statue had broken off at the knees. Strabo reports that an oracle told the citizens of Rhodes not to rebuild it, and an offer by Ptolemy III of Egypt to pay for its reconstruction was turned down. The Colossus would lie in place until 654 AD, when, according to legend, Arab invaders sold the pieces to a Jewish merchant in Edessa.[7] Regardless of their political leadership or government style, respect for the culture and economic importance of the city was such that Greek cities across the region offered assistance to help rebuild.[2] At least two did so by giving the city an exemption from their own customs dues.[8]