The Legend of Lindos One of the Six Dorian Cities
The Legend of Lindos
One of the Six Dorian Cities
According to legend Lindos was founded by the Dorians led by King Tlepolemas of Rhodes who arrived around the 10th century BC. It was one of the six Dorian cities in an area known as the Dorian Hexapolis. Its location to the east of Rhodes made it a natural meeting point between the Greeks and the Phoenicians and by the 8th century BC Lindos had become an important trade centre. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods the temple area expanded as more buildings were built. Patron Goddess of Lindos At the heart of the Acropolis of Lindos is the Temple of Athena Lindea dedicated to the revered goddess who served as the city's patron goddess. Athena Lindea goddess of wisdom and war, was revered as a protector and benefactor representing the ideals of strength, wisdom and virtue. The temples dedicated to Athena Lindea played a major role in the religious life of ancient Lindos, attracting devotees and pilgrims from all over the Greek world.
During the Classical period the Acropolis of Lindos was dominated by the large temple of Athena Lindea completed around 300 BC. During the Hellenistic and Roman periods the temple area expanded as more buildings were built. The Necropolis of Kleoboulos This necropolis is not associated with the tyrants of Lindos, but rather with the tombs of wealthy families. It is a circular structure with elaborate brickwork and an arched roof. The entrance has a ledge decorated with palm trees. Inside is a bed carved from the rock. There is a sarcophagus with a lid that has not survived (2nd-1st century BC). Traces of wall paintings and the name "Ayios Aimilianos" are evidence that the tomb was later converted into a Christian church.
In the early Middle Ages, these buildings were no longer in use, and in the 14th century some of them were built over by a large fortification that the Knights of St. John built on the Acropolis to protect the island from the Ottomans. The Doric Temple of Athena Lindia was built around 300 BC on the site of the original temple. Inside the temple was a table for offerings and a pedestal for a statue of the goddess Athena. In the 6th century it was ruled by Cleobulus, one of the Seven Sages of Greece. The importance of Lindos declined after the founding of the city of Rhodes in the late 5th century BC. In the classical period, the Acropolis of Lindos was dominated by the large Temple of Athena Lindia, completed around 300 BC.
Statue of Colossus of Rhodes
Statue of Colossus of Rhodes The revival of the Colossus A new generation of European archaeologists, architects and civil engineers has proposed to create a modern version of the statue taking into account the standards of the 21st century. The project is not intended to recreate the 40 meter bronze structure but to evoke the same emotions that the visitors felt more than 2,200 years ago. Therefore this version of the Colossus will be five times taller than the original and will include an exhibition hall a library a museum of culture and a lighthouse.
In the early Middle Ages, these buildings were no longer in use, and in the 14th century some of them were built over by a large fortification that the Knights of St. John built on the Acropolis to protect the island from the Ottomans. The Doric Temple of Athena Lindia was built around 300 BC on the site of the original temple. Inside the temple was a table for offerings and a pedestal for a statue of the goddess Athena. In the 6th century it was ruled by Cleobulus, one of the Seven Sages of Greece. The importance of Lindos declined after the founding of the city of Rhodes in the late 5th century BC. In the classical period, the Acropolis of Lindos was dominated by the large Temple of Athena Lindia, completed around 300 BC.
Statue of Colossus of Rhodes
Statue of Colossus of Rhodes The revival of the Colossus A new generation of European archaeologists, architects and civil engineers has proposed to create a modern version of the statue taking into account the standards of the 21st century. The project is not intended to recreate the 40 meter bronze structure but to evoke the same emotions that the visitors felt more than 2,200 years ago. Therefore this version of the Colossus will be five times taller than the original and will include an exhibition hall a library a museum of culture and a lighthouse.
Rhodian trireme
These large lumps of clay were spread or covered with wax. Chares molded the wax into the specific shapes he wanted for the different parts of the statue. Once cooled, due to the height and enormous size of the statue when it was almost up to the upper part of the body the bronze had already taken the shape that Chares wanted. In this way a statue of such size was created and gradually built from piece to piece making it difficult to reach the statue. The clay blocks were shaped accordingly. The clay was heated from below with a strong flame. With the heat the clay set into the desired shape and the wax was drained. In addition the bronze was liquefied and heated at the same time. Once the wax was drained The liquid bronze was poured from above into the gaps.
Entwurff of a historical architect by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach; engraving by Johann Adam Delsenbach (Leipzig, 1725). /Image: rhodesexperience
The Colossus of Rhodes is 34 meters high and stands on a 15 meter high base. Helios, the sun god was carved using bronze collected from Demetrius's war machines. The crowned Helios is naked his face turned to the sky his right hand covering his eyes shielding him from the sun as he guards the port. It was made using a large amount of bronze and iron. Chares also cast bronze into various shapes for different parts of the statue. The island was famous for its bronze casting and only a small part of the statue could be fitted with a sheet of bronze cast from a regular pit. Chares decided to create a large pit which became the largest pit ever used for casting bronze. The pit was filled with large chunks of clay.
