The statue was built to commemorate the victory of Rhodes over the invading forces of [[Antigonus|Demetrios Poliorketes]] (''Besieger of Many Cities''), son of Antigonus. Rhodes was aided in its defense by [[Ptolemy]], a former general of [[Alexander the Great]]. Since Ptolemy associated with the sun god ([[Helios]] to the Greeks; [[Ra]] to the Egyptians), the portrayal of the sun god in the Colossus's form was an especially remarkable tribute to the general. | The statue was built to commemorate the victory of Rhodes over the invading forces of [[Antigonus|Demetrios Poliorketes]] (''Besieger of Many Cities''), son of Antigonus. Rhodes was aided in its defense by [[Ptolemy]], a former general of [[Alexander the Great]]. Since Ptolemy associated with the sun god ([[Helios]] to the Greeks; [[Ra]] to the Egyptians), the portrayal of the sun god in the Colossus's form was an especially remarkable tribute to the general. |