‘Colossus’ as it stood in ancient Greece signified a civilization at the peak of its culture and strength. It was a gigantic statue built on the banks of the city of Rhodes and it stood astride the sea and the land, the tallest statute of its kind clad in iron and bronze. Dedicated to the sun god himself, it is a depiction of the Titan Helios; God of Sun. It was erected by Charles of Lindos to commemorate the victory of Rhodes over Cyprus in 280 B.C. It glorifies the hard fought battle and it is said that the beacon was held so high that it reached the peaks of Mount Olympus, the abode of the Greek Gods. The legendary English play writer Shakespeare in his work, Julius Caesar has referred to this titanic statute and has personified the mighty Julius Caesar as a ‘Colossus’. He writes:
"Why man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves..." The legacy of the Colossus, as it came down with an earthquake is carried forth in the design of the Statute of Liberty. The Greeks are also to be thanked for the creation of the Olympics the world’s foremost sporting competition. Its motto reads citius altius fortius, a constant strive to get faster, higher and stronger. The ancient Olympics were as much a religious festival as an athletic event. The games were held in honor of the Greek god Zeus. The beacon, a conspicuous fire lit high often to attract attention, in modern day is seen as a symbol of prowess, hope and ultimate triumph. With the vision of promoting perseverance in sports and skillfulness in cultural events, Hidayatullah National Law University welcome you to our three day fest/carnival to be organized from 24th to 26th February, 2017 in our University Campus in the heart of New Raipur.
