Rhodes

Definition

Rhodes, with an area of 1,400 km², is the largest island in the Greek Dodecanese group located in the south-eastern Aegean. The island was an important protagonist in wider Greek and Mediterranean affairs throughout the Bronze Age, Archaic, and Classical periods and was particularly prosperous in Hellenistic times. The island was also famed in antiquity as a cultural centre and for the Colossus of Rhodes statue, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

More about: Rhodes

Timeline

  • c. 1600 BCE
    Rhodes has significant contact with Minoan Crete.
  • 1510 BCE
    The traditional date Danaos builds a temple to Athena Lindia at Lindus on Rhodes.
  • c. 1400 BCE
    Rhodes has significant contact with the Mycenaean civilization.
  • c. 689 BCE
    Rhodes and Cretans found Gela in Sicily.
  • c. 580 BCE
    Agrigento in Sicily is founded by colonists from Gela, Crete and Rhodes.
  • 490 BCE
    Rhodes comes under Persian rule.
  • c. 412 BCE
    Rhodes revolts against Athens and supports Sparta in the Peloponnesian War.
  • c. 408 BCE
    The various city-states of Rhodes form a single federal state.
  • c. 408 BCE
    The capital of Rhodes is moved from Lindos to Rhodes town.
  • 395 BCE
    Democracy is established on Rhodes.
  • 342 BCE
    Fire destroys the 6th century BCE temple to Athena at Lindos, Rhodes and is replaced by a new one.
  • 305 BCE - 304 BCE
    Demetrius I unsuccessfully lays siege to Rhodes.
  • c. 292 BCE - c. 280 BCE
    The Colossus of Rhodes, a representation of Helios, is built in Rhodes town harbour, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
  • 228 BCE - 226 BCE
    The Colossus of Rhodes is toppled by an earthquake.
  • 206 BCE - 204 BCE
    Crete is at war with Rhodes.
  • 197 BCE
    Samos comes under the jurisdiction of Rhodes.
  • 189 BCE
    Rome gives control of Lycia to Rhodes.
  • 164 BCE
    Leonidas of Rhodes wins the first of his 12 Olympic crowns in runnning events in four successive Olymic Games.
  • 155 BCE - 153 BCE
    Crete is at war with Rhodes for a second time.
  • 88 BCE
    Rhodes is beseiged by Mithradates VI.
  • 43 BCE
    Rhodes is sacked by Cassius Longinus.
  • c. 654 CE
    According to Theophanes, a Jewish merchant transports the pieces of the fallen Colossus of Rhodes to Edessa for melting down.
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