Ridiculous History: Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—The Colossus of Rhodes

Podcast: Ridiculous History
Hosts: Ben Bowlin & Noel Brown
Episode Air Date: September 4, 2025

Episode Overview

Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown continue their tongue-in-cheek examination of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, focusing on the short-lived but awe-inspiring Colossus of Rhodes. With help from super-producer and research associate Max Williams, they explore the origins, construction, destruction, and enduring legacy of this bronze giant, drawing connections to modern icons like the Statue of Liberty.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: What Makes a “Wonder”

[02:20]

• The hosts reference their ongoing ancient wonders series, raising the question, “What even makes a wonder?”
• They joke about the arbitrary nature of such lists:

  “Who are we to judge? Well, we’re your pals over at Ridiculous History.” – Ben

2. The God Helios and the Island of Rhodes

[06:45 - 09:03]

• The Colossus represented Helios, the Greek sun god—and a Titan—whose worship was especially prominent on the island and city of Rhodes.
• Rhodes was an influential maritime city-state strategically located near modern Turkey, not Greece.
• The city sat at the northeastern tip of the island, thriving on trade with “five harbors.”

3. Historical Context: Siege and Inspiration

[09:36 - 12:30]

• After Alexander the Great’s death, his generals fought for power. Antigonus sent his son Demetrius to siege Rhodes (305–304 BCE) due to shifting alliances.

• The siege lasted a year but ended in a truce. The attackers left behind advanced siege equipment, which the Rhodians sold.

• The profits and leftover materials inspired the city to commemorate their survival with a monumental statue honoring Helios.

  “So there’s this 12 month siege… [Rhodians] withstand this siege… Demetrius gets his street name, 'besieger of cities,' but doesn't get much else.” – Ben [10:51]

4. Construction of the Colossus

[12:50 - 18:23]

• Sculptor Chares of Lindos (not “Charles”—cue puns) took on the “Herculean task” of designing the statue, drawing on research by Pliny the Elder.
• The statue stood about 108 feet high (33 meters), assembled from hammered bronze sheets over internal iron struts, with stones providing ballast.
• It took approximately 12 years to complete.
• Notably, the statue included explicit anatomical detail in keeping with Greek artistic tradition:

  “They did feel it was important to include the penis; you gotta know, a colossal undertaking unto itself.” – Noel [17:41]

5. What Did It Actually Look Like?

[18:29 - 20:20]

• No detailed images or models survive, so most modern representations are speculative.
• Coin depictions of Helios show a crown of sunbeams, which may have influenced the statue’s design.
• There are no extant models or detailed records:

  “It’s not like you can call anyone today and ask about their experience building the Colossus of Rhodes.” – Ben [18:29]

6. Where Did It Stand?

[20:20 - 22:25]

• The exact location is unknown. Possible sites include:
  • The harbor entrance (the popular but unlikely “straddling the harbor” image).
  • Near the Sanctuary of Helios in the city center.
• Archaeological digs have found possible base stones and masonry, but no clear remains.

7. Demise and Afterlife

[24:10 - 25:25]

• The Colossus stood for only about 60 years before an earthquake in 226/225 BCE toppled it.
• Its bronze remains lay untouched for centuries, becoming a tourist curiosity, until Arab raiders broke them up and sold them for scrap in 654 CE—requiring more than 900 camels.
• The fate mirrored that of other wonders, like the statue of Zeus:

  “For centuries, this thing was just too big to move unless you stole little scraps of it.” – Ben [24:13]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the statue’s brief glory:

  “Like the Hellenistic age itself... the life of the Colossus was pretty brief. It was too big, not too big to fail.” – Ben [24:10]

• On the eternal fascination:

  “It came to become iconic. I do agree with the idea that it later informed larger sculptures like our Statue of Liberty here in the United States.” – Ben [22:25]

• On Statue of Liberty comparisons:

  “It is a design of Frederic Auguste Bartholdi... a one to one echo.” – Ben [29:02]
  “Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame with conquering limbs astride from land to land...” – Emma Lazarus, “The New Colossus,” recited by Ben [34:53]

• On Civilization video games:

  “The Colossus is actually one that's showed up in all seven games now. All seven mainline games. It's a wonder that you can build. It usually makes you money. It looks really cool.” – Max [33:04]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Series Context: [00:00 – 02:54]
• Helios & Rhodes Background: [06:45 – 09:03]
• Siege and Construction Origins: [09:36 – 12:30]
• Building the Colossus: [12:50 – 18:23]
• Speculation About Its Appearance: [18:29 – 20:20]
• Possible Locations: [20:20 – 22:25]
• Iconic Status & Destruction: [24:10 – 25:25]
• Statue of Liberty & Modern Echoes: [29:02 – 32:24]
• Civ Games & Cultural Legacies: [32:42 – 33:49]
• Emma Lazarus Poem Recitation & Reflection: [34:53 – 36:06]

Legacy & Symbolism

• The Colossus of Rhodes became a symbol of freedom and resilience in its own time, as captured in its original dedication:

  “To you, O sun, the people of Dorian Rhodes set up this bronze statue reaching to Olympus when they had pacified the waves of war and crowned their city with the spoils...” – [29:58]

• Its spirit lives on, most famously in the Statue of Liberty, both in design and in “welcoming the huddled masses”:

  “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...” – Emma Lazarus, recited by Ben [35:03]

Tone & Style

Both hosts maintain their trademark mix of deep geekery, irreverent wit, and genuine emotional connection to history’s lasting symbols, occasionally trading barbs or riffing on ancient and modern “colossi.” Max joins the fun with Civilization game trivia, and Ben’s heartfelt reading of “The New Colossus” brings the episode to a moving close.

Conclusion

The Colossus of Rhodes was a marvel born from war, built from the spoils of victory, and doomed by nature. Yet, as the hosts emphasize, its symbolic resonance—visible in everything from ancient coins to the Statue of Liberty—remains undiminished. This episode spotlights how even vanished wonders shape the world we still inhabit.