The Colossus of Rhodes was one of the ancient wonders of the world and it was located at the harbor of Rhodes. It was a figure of the god Helios and was built as a victory monument for a victory against one of the successors to Alexander the Great. It was built around 280 BCE and stood about 110 feet tall which is 10 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. It probably also had a marble pedestal of 50 feet. It was not a lighthouse but was a daytime landmark. It did not straddle the harbor as some current guides would suggest but it was close legged on one side of the harbor. It only lasted 50-60 years before falling after frequent earthquakes. The ruins laid around for hundreds of years before finally being reused.

(The Great Courses – The Great Tours: Greece and Turkey, from Athens to Istanbul)