The Colossus at Rhodes. This huge bronze statue of the sun-god Helios; one of the wonders of the ancient world; was made from spoils left by the Macedonian king Demetrius Poliorcetes; who besieged the city in 304 BC; but was obliged to retire hastily. The statue took twelve years to construct; it is said; and when completed stood seventy cubits high. It was thrown down by an earthquake about 224 BC; and; after lying broken for nearly a thousand years; was bought by a Jew from the Saracens; and probably reconverted into instruments of war. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson; c.1920). Note: Image has been digitally enhanced to facilitate repro.