Helios

Denomination:  Greek Hemi Drachm     

Dates:  circa 300-350 BC

Description:  Obverse: Sun god, Helios. / Reverse: A rose, the symbol of Rhodes.

The city of Rhodes was built in 408 B.C. According to mythology, Helios had fallen in love with the nymph Rhodes, and when he shone his light on her, she transformed into the island. The name means "rose" and the island is known since antiquity as a flowery place. The proceeds gained from a successful defense against a siege of Demetrios Poliorketes, were used to build a colossal statue of Helios (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world) in the port of Rhodes.  This huge statue, measuring 100 feet, was built in 280 BCE In the earthquake of 224-223 BCE the statue broke off at the knees.

Helios is the young Greek god of the sun. Each morning at dawn he rises from the ocean in the east and rides in his chariot, pulled by four horses - Pyrois, Eos, Aethon and Phlegon - through the sky, to descend at night in the west. Helios once allowed Phaeton to guide his chariot across the sky. The unskilled youth could not control the horses and fell towards his death. 
The reverence of the sun as a god came from the east to Greece and was addored especially in Rhodes.