The Great Colossus of Rhodes was one of the seven Great Wonders of the ancient world, which is enough to make it badass on that premise alone. It was built by the ancient Rhodesians (Rhodians?) as a tribute to their patron god, Helios, the statue itself being a likeness of the god. Just who is Helios you ask? The motherfucking God of the Sun, man!
Here is the actual text used as a dedication/tribute to the completed Colossus, which is also ridiculously epic: "
To you, o Sun, the people of 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."
The statue stood over one hundred feet tall, and was destroyed by an earthquake only 56 years after it was built. The people of Rhodes believed they had offended Helios, so they left the ruins of the statue where they fell for over eight hundred years.
The most amazing thing of all? In November 2008, it was announced that the Colossus of Rhodes is going to be
rebuilt.
