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Colossal Wonder of the Ancient World May Be Rebuilt
The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. But unlike the Great Pyramid of Giza, no one today really knows what it looked like. We do know that the nearly 100-foot-tall statue was built in 280 BC to commemorate the Greek island’s victory over Cyprus, but collapsed in an earthquake just 54 years later.
Many centuries on, artists have imagined how the statue appeared, the most fanciful (and improbable) of which was a massive Helios straddling the entrance to Rhodes’s harbor as warships sailed underneath. (Don’t look up, kids!)
Now a group of archeologists, engineers, and salivating directors of the Rhodes Convention and Visitor’s Bureau are trying to rebuild this famous monument in an effort to honor history and make several drachmas in the process.
Taking its cues from medieval imagination, Colossus 2.0 will straddle the harbor, stand 500 feet tall, be covered in bronze-colored solar panels, and crowned with a beacon visible 35 miles away. Most importantly, this new version would be earthquake-proof.
While I appreciate the idea, the design looks more like a casino than an homage to classical virtue. Would you take a side trip to Rhodes to gawk at the new Colossus? What will Turkey think of their neighbor’s glitzy new lighthouse blazing 11 miles from their shore? And shouldn’t Helios be wearing underpants?
Published in Culture
Braavos?
My first thought was, “You know that rather looks like Putin.”
My second was that if Cyprus proposed the idea to him he’d likely be willing to fund it.
“And shouldn’t Helios be wearing underpants?” This gives new meaning to the term Rhodes Scholar.
So the Greek monetary crisis is over, then?
If I recall correctly, the Braavosi were rather particular about debt repayment.
How long till Isis knocks it down?
Just don’t add a water feature.
When asked, the authority on the subject, the Statue of David, replied,”Be sure to account for shrinkage.”
Well it was the inspiration for the Statue Of Liberty
But if New Yorkers aren’t into liberty anymore they can just sell off their statue maybe?
I always hoped it would be reconstructed, along with many other ancient feats of architecture. But I agree with Barkha and Mustangman. The timing couldn’t be worse.
I’m sure gypsies are already selling miniatures.
Rumor has it, The Great Wall of Trump to be built along the southern border will have several of these guys as well…and they may all look like The Donald. Immigrants and guest workers will have to pass between his legs for entry.
Waiting for cranky anti-Rubio comments in 3…2…1…
a pair of carefully placed observation pods might create the newest “Colossal thrill ride.”
The Commando Colossus.
Would you prefer a Scotsman in a kilt?
Think they will have an event like Times Square on New Years Eve? In plural?
The ancient statue was less than 100 feet tall? That’s not that colossal.
Some out of the way places got a big increase in tourism by building exciting architecture. Example: Bilbao with its Guggenheim museum. Not sure this would do it for Rhodes though. It’s just a dumb statue.
Johnny Dubya
The ancient statue was less than 100 feet tall? That’s not that colossal.
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It was shrinkage!
I went to Rhodes College. The math department’s computer server was named “Colossus.”
I liked that.
In the year 672 the Arabs occupied Rhodes and Colossus came to a sad end. The tumbled pieces – some 300 tons – were sold to a junk dealer, shipped to the mainland, and “carried away on 900 camels” – to what destiny no one knows. From “Complete Book of Marvels” by Richard Halliburton
The way things are going, the Greeks need to save their money for more reasons than one…
Cheney again. Wouldn’t you know it…
/bitter leftist imitation