[Gr. Rhodos] Greek island, 11 km from the south-west coast of Asia Minor (now Turkey). It is the largest island in the Dodekanese (1400 sq. km; l. 77 km from north to south; see fig.), traversed by a range of hills running north–south along its west centre. It is very fertile and well placed to benefit from the trade between the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean. During the 2nd millennium bc there were settlements on Rhodes first of Minoans and then of Mycenaeans; rich finds have been uncovered from the tombs of this period. From c. 1100/1050 bc the island was colonized by Dorians from mainland Greece, and three city states—Kameiros, Ialysos and Lindos—enjoyed great prosperity. In 408 bc these three cities combined to form a federal capital, Rhodes, on the northern tip of the island. This site has remained capital of the island ever since. The city of Lindos retained some importance as the site of a sanctuary of Athena, which was rebuilt in Hellenistic times. Rhodes grew rich in the Hellenistic period, especially after the victory over Demetrios I Poliorketes of Macedon (...