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RHODE ISLAND.

Richman, Rhode Island: Its Making and Meaning (New York, 1902); Field, (ed.), State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the End of the Century (Boston, 1903); Arnold, History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (New York, 1859-60; 4th ed., Providence, 1894); Greene, Short History of Rhode Island (Providence, 1877); Bartlett (ed.), Letters of Roger Williams (Providence, 1882); Rhode Island Historical Society, Collections (9 vols., ib., 1827-97); Proceedings (21 vols., ib., 1872-92); Publications; Rhode Island Historical Tracts, 1st series (20 vols., ib., 1877-84).  RHODES (Lat. Rhodus, from Gk. ). An island now belonging to Asiatic Turkey and long an important, wealthy, and independent State of ancient Greece. It lies off the southwest coast of Asia Minor, from the nearest point of which it is distant about 12 miles. It is 49 miles long and 21 miles in greatest breadth, and is traversed in the direction of its length—from northeast to southwest—by a chain of mountains, which reach in Mount Ataÿros (the ancient Atabyrion) a height of 4070 feet. The present population is about 30,000, of whom two-thirds are Greeks. The island is governed by a Turkish pasha, but is in general neglected, and shows few traces of its ancient prosperity. Its climate is temperate and its valleys are fertile, producing oil, oranges, citrons, etc.

Rhodes rose into importance at a very early period. It is certain that Ialysus was a place of trade during the second millennium , for Mycenæan vases have been found in its necropolis. When the island first appears in history it is peopled by Dorians who dwell in three cities, Lindus, near the centre of the east coast, with a good harbor, and still a town; Camirus, on the west coast; and Ialysus, also on the west coast, near the northern end of the island. These cities, with Calymna, Cos, and Halicarnassus, formed the Doric Hexapolis which later, by the expulsion or withdrawal of Halicarnassus, became a Pentapolis. During the seventh and sixth centuries the island shared in the commercial prosperity of the Greek States of Asia Minor. A colony was planted at Phaselis, on the east coast of Lyeia, and, alone of the Asiatic Greeks, the Rhodians took part in the first colonizing of Sicily, where they settled Gela, according to the tradition, about 690. A hundred years later,

after an unsuccessful attempt at Lilybæum, another band settled the Lipari Islands. Secure from attack by land, and on friendly terms with the unaggressive naval powers of Phœnicia and Egypt, the island maintained its independence till the Persian conquest, and did not finally yield till after the Ionian revolt, at the beginning of the fifth century The Rhodians were among the Greeks who served with Xerxes, though their contingent was small. After the Greek victories, they joined the Delian League, thus passing ultimately into the Athenian empire. They revolted in 411, and in 408 the three cities combined to found a new capital of the island. This city, (q.v.), henceforth represents the island. Excavations were begun on the Acropolis of Lindus in 1902 by Danish scholars, and in the first season the Propylæa and ancient Temple of Athena were discovered.  RHODES. The capital of the island of the same name, situated at its northern extremity, with harbors on the east side, and the Acropolis on a hill which rises abruptly from the west coast. The modern city, called Kastro, has a picturesque appearance from the sea as it rises gradually from the two harbors, now choked with sand. In ancient times the main harbor was fortified and could be closed. The present fortifications only include about one-fourth of the ancient city, and date largely from the fifteenth century. The place has preserved its mediæval aspect, and there are many traces on the stone houses of its occupation by the Knights of Saint John, besides the great castle, the hospital, and especially the straight and picturesque Knights' Road, lined with ancient buildings bearing coats of arms. The earthquakes of 1851, 1856, and 1863 wrought great destruction in the town. By the powder explosion of 1856 the Church of Saint John, built in 1500, and the Grand Master's palace, were badly damaged, and the two edifices were destroyed by the earthquake of 1863.

Rhodes was founded in 408, and was girt by strong walls, surmounted by towers, and provided with two excellent harbors. It soon attained wealth and a very important commercial position. The early years of the fourth century were marked by struggles between democracy and aristocracy, leading to interventions by Sparta and Athens. Rhodes joined the second Athenian League, but in 356, with Byzantium, Chios, and Cos, withdrew, thus bringing about the Social War, which ended in Athens conceding the independence of the allies. Rhodes, however, soon fell under the control of Mausolus of Caria. but again became free, though in 332 it voluntarily acknowledged Alexander. This King greatly favored the city, whose trade rapidly increased, though it was occupied by a Macedonian garrison. On the death of Alexander, 323, the Rhodians rose and expelled the intruders. The third and second centuries were the acme of Rhodian prosperity. Wealth had not corrupted the dignity and morality of the people. Art flour- ished, filling the city with statues and planting at the mouth of the harbor the famous (q.v.). A later school of art, probably in the first century, produced the Laocoön. In the wars of the period the Rhodians seem to have sought to hold aloof unless their trading interests were threatened. Like the kings of Pergamum, they appealed to Rome as a better ally than their