Something colossal is gigantic.
Colossal is an adjective that describes that which belongs to or is linked to the colossus (a work of art whose proportions exceed the common). The term, therefore, is usually used to refer to something extraordinary or something that is enormous . For example: “The government presented a colossal statue of the leader who died a hundred years ago,” “You are in a colossal mess: I recommend you be very careful,” “The young Uruguayan achieved a colossal triumph against the number one in the world.”
The etymological origin of the term is found in the Greek word kolossos , which is formed by the union of the prefix kolos ( which means "big" ) and the word ossos ( which can be translated as "eyes" ).
In this way, it can literally be said that this concept previously meant “great in sight.” Hence the term was used in Antiquity by the Greeks to refer to the gigantic sculptures that the Egyptians made at the time and even those that were developed later.
The Colossus of Rhodes and other statues
The famous Colossus of Rhodes is possibly the most popular colossal statue in history . It consisted of a striking representation of the divinity Helios and was created in 292 BC on the Greek island of Rhodes by Chares of Lindos . The work was destroyed following an earthquake that occurred in 226 BC . The information that reached the present day was developed by ancient writers such as Pliny the Elder and Michael the Syrian .
It is said that the Colossus of Rhodes measured about 32 meters and was supported on a 15 meter base. The statue was built with bronze plates and an iron frame, while the base was made of marble.
Among the colossal statues that can still be seen, the colossi of Memnon stand out, located on the banks of the Nile River . They are two stone statues dedicated to Pharaoh Amenhotep III .
The most famous colossal statue in history existed on the Greek island of Rhodes.
Other uses of the notion
The adjective colossal, however, can refer to both physical things and symbolic or abstract matters. A colossal building is a large-sized building, while a colossal achievement is a relevant success that transcends borders.
And all this without forgetting that, in addition to the underlined meanings, the term colossal works in the colloquial sphere to refer to any person, object or situation that is considered to be very good, optimal and favorable.
Likewise, this concept is part of an expression used in the field of science. We are referring to what is known as colossal magnetoresistance , which determines the ability of some materials, such as oxides, to significantly change their electrical resistance. In this sense, it must be emphasized that this modification is carried out when they are subjected to the presence of a specific magnetic field.