HISTORY OF RHODES ISLAND

Mythology

According to myth, Helios was absent when Zeus divided the earth among the Olympian gods. Disappointed by this omission, Helios demanded his rightful share. In response, a magnificent island slowly emerged from the depths of the Aegean Sea. Bathed in perpetual sunshine for more than 300 days a year, this island became known as Rhodes, named after “Rhoda,” the pink hibiscus that flourishes there.

Antiquity

Strategically located and rich in resources, Rhodes has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The Minoans were the first known settlers in the 16th century B.C., followed by the Mycenaeans. However, it was the arrival of the Dorians that shaped its historical prominence. The Dorians established three powerful city-states: Kamiros, Ialysos, and Lindos.

In 408 B.C., these city-states united to form a new and powerful capital, designed under the guidance of the renowned architect Hippodamus. This city became a beacon of trade, culture, and political influence in the ancient world.

Although Rhodes was a member of the Athenian League, it maintained a neutral stance during the Peloponnesian War. Later, the island sided with the Macedonians, assisting them in their conquests. Following the death of Alexander the Great, Rhodes flourished under an alliance with the Ptolemies of Egypt, controlling trade across the eastern Mediterranean and establishing itself as a major commercial and cultural center.

In 305 B.C., Demetrius, son of Antigonus, launched a siege against Rhodes. The islanders, however, successfully defended their homeland. To celebrate their victory, they erected a colossal statue in honor of their sun god, Helios—the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

As an independent maritime power with a formidable navy, Rhodes skillfully navigated the shifting allegiances of the era, establishing dominance along the shores of Asia Minor. When Rome emerged as a rising force, the Rhodians astutely aligned themselves with the Republic, offering invaluable naval assistance. In return, they were granted territories and a privileged status. The island became a cultural hub, attracting Roman nobles who sought to study rhetoric from its famed teachers.

Roman & Byzantine period

However, political intrigues in the Roman Senate led to the downfall of Rhodes, culminating in the brutal sacking of the city by Cassius in 43 B.C.

In 58 A.D., St. Paul preached Christianity in Lindos, marking the beginning of a new religious era. However, the island soon entered a turbulent period, suffering frequent raids by eastern adversaries such as the Saracens and Seljuks. During the Byzantine era, Rhodes remained a vital center for commerce and shipbuilding.

Medieval times

By 1248, Rhodes had fallen under Genoese control until Admiral Vignoli sold it to the Knights of St. John in 1309. The Knights transformed the island, fortifying the city with impregnable walls, constructing hospitals, and building the majestic Grand Master’s Palace. Rhodes re-emerged from obscurity as a formidable Christian stronghold and a key port on trade routes between Europe and the East.

Despite their resilience, the Knights and local defenders withstood but ultimately succumbed to the might of the Ottoman Empire. After surviving sieges by the Sultan of Egypt in 1444 and Mehmed II in 1480, they were overpowered by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522. His vast army of 100,000 men and 400 ships left the Knights no choice but to surrender.

Ottoman period & Italian occupation

Under Ottoman rule, the Greek population was forced to relocate outside the fortified city, while the island became a melting pot of various ethnic groups, including a significant Jewish community. This period lasted until 1912, when Italy seized control of Rhodes. Following the Treaty of Lausanne, Rhodes was officially declared Italian territory. The fascist regime invested in the island’s infrastructure, leaving behind architectural landmarks that remain visible to this day.

During World War II, after the Battle of Rhodes, the island fell under German occupation in 1943. Tragically, the Jewish community was deported to concentration camps by the Nazis, marking one of the darkest chapters in Rhodes’ history.

Independence & Union with Greece

Finally, on March 7, 1947, Rhodes, along with the other Dodecanese islands, was officially united with Greece, restoring its Hellenic identity after centuries of foreign rule. Today, Rhodes stands as a testament to its rich and diverse history, blending ancient grandeur with modern vibrancy.