Chares of Lindos | |
|---|---|
19th-century artistic impression of theColossus of Rhodes, created by Chares of Lindos | |
| Born | before 305 BC |
| Died | c. 280 BC Rhodes, Greece |
| Occupation | sculptor |
| Years active | ?-c.280 BC |
| Notable work | Colossus of Rhodes |
Chares of Lindos (/ˈkɛəriːz/;Ancient Greek:Χάρης ὁ Λίνδιος,gen.: Χάρητος; before 305 BC – c.280 BC) was aGreek sculptor born on the island ofRhodes. He was a pupil ofLysippos.[1] Chares constructed theColossus of Rhodes in 282 BC, an enormous bronze statue of the sun godHelios and the patron god of Rhodes.[2] The statue was built to commemorate Rhodes' victory over theinvading Macedonians in 305 BC, led byDemetrius I, son ofAntigonus, a general underAlexander the Great.Also attributed to Chares was a colossal head that was brought to Rome and dedicated byP. Lentulus Spinther on theCapitoline Hill in 57 BC (Pliny,Natural History XXXIV.18).[3]
The Colossus of Rhodes is one of theSeven Wonders of the Ancient World,[4] and was considered Chares's greatest accomplishment, until its destruction in anearthquake in 226 BC.[5]
The work may have been completed by Laches, also an inhabitant of Lindos.[6][7][8]