The Colossus of Rhodes was a massive bronze statue of the Greek sun-god Helios, erected to celebrate a military victory. Standing roughly 33 meters (108 ft) high—the same height as the Statue of Liberty from feet to crown—it was the tallest statue of the ancient world. It took 12 years to build and stood for only 54 years before it was snapped at the knees by an earthquake in 226 BCE. Even in its fallen state, it remained a massive tourist attraction for centuries until it was eventually melted down for scrap metal. Contrary to popular medieval illustrations showing the statue straddling the harbor entrance, modern archaeologists believe it stood on a pedestal to one side of the port or on a nearby hill.