According to mythology, the Rhodians always worshiped the God Sun, who stood by them as their protector.
So, when in 4 B.C. theislandofRhodeswas persistently attacked by the Macedonian general Demetrius, the God Sun saved the people and protected the island from the conqueror.
Wanting to express their gratitude to the God Sun and also to honour him for the protection that he offered to the island, the Rhodians erected Colossus. They created a bronze statue which was 33 metres high and could be seen from the port.