ca. 350-300 BCE
Ae 12mm, 1.2gms
Obv: Head of the nymph Rhodos right
Rev: Rose with bud to right, P – O to either side; monogram in left field
BMC 108
Entire books can and have been written about Rhodes. When we were planning our Greek vacation, I deliberately avoided adding Rhodes because I knew an entire vacation could be spent there given the number of things to see.
The island is most famous for the Colossos of Rhodes, of which only parts of the base exist underwater. It towered above the harbor and was built from the melted down siege engines used by Demetrios I Poliorketes in an attempt to take the city.
After Alexander the Great died, the city forged ties with the Ptolemies in Egypt. Demetrios strove to dislodge them from this alliance and created the most feared siege engines the world had seen. However, after a year he was forced to give up in 304 BCE.
The coinage of Rhodes was widespread with numerous types in silver and bronze. Eventually I hope to add other types. For now, I’m happy with this bronze that features a rose, which was the symbol of the island.
One interesting aspect I find about Rhodes was that it mainly had one mint, compared to other islands of its size which were divided into multiple cities. While I’m sure there were other towns on Rhodes, it was always dominated by the capital.
Colonists from Achaia and Rhodes settle Soloi.
Phaselis founded by settlers from Rhodes.
Rhodes is liberated from Persia by soldiers from Athens.
Rhodes remains neutral, though still a member of the Delian League, during the Peloponnesian War.
New city of Rhodes created from the main cities of the island, including Kamiros, Ialysos, and Lindos.
Approximate birth of Memnon of Rhodes, presumably in Rhodes.
Eresos, Byzantion, Chios,Mytilene, Methymna, Rhodes, Thebes, Korkyra, Eretria, Kios, Samos, Naxos, Andros, Myrina (Lembos), Hephaistia, Imbros, and Thasos join the Second Athenian League, reaffirming its alliance with Athens in response to the growing threat of Persian interference and internal Greek conflicts.
355 BCE
King Mausolos of Caria conquers Rhodes.
Rhodes is conquered by Persia.
326 BCE
Demetrios Poliorketes attempts to enlist the help of Rhodes, but fails.
Demetrios Poliorketes besieges Rhodes and invents many new siege engines for the purpose (earning him the title ‘besieger’) but he fails and is forced to leave them. Knossos provides troops to support Rhodes.
Patara is used as a naval base by Demetrios Poliorketes during his siege of Rhodes.
216 BCE
The Lyttian War is fought between an alliance led by Knossos and one led by Polyrhenion. On the side of Knossos were Rhodes, the Aetolian League, and Kydonia. On the side of Polyrhenion were Lyttos, Macedon, and the Achaian League.
Eleutherna triggers the Lyttian War by accusing Rhodes of murdering their leader Timarchos.
Mithridates II unsuccessfully attempts to take Sinope, which is helped by Rhodes.
197 BCE
Nisyros becomes a posession of Rhodes.
Rhodes re-takes Stratonikeia.
Kaunos revolts against Rhodes. Rome remove Kaunos from Rhodes and place it in the Province of Asia.
Patara is occupied by Rhodes.
Lycia, including Phaselis, and Caria, including Stratonikeia, are given its freedom from Rhodes by Rome.
Rhodes becomes a permanent client state of Rome.
The Romans place Kaunos back under Rhodes as punishment for the murder of Romans.
Julius Caesar travels to Rhodes to study with Apollonius Molon.
While on his way back from Rhodes, Julius Caesar is intercepted and ransomed by pirates.
A major earthquake destroys Rhodes. Funds for is rebuilding are given by Antoninus Pius.