The Hellenistic Period - The Years of Prosperity.

This beautiful city, grate the island itself, came under the influence, sometimes of one or other, of the two great Greek powers, Athens and Sparta, until Macedonians intentions in that
era became clear to all the peoples of the ancient Greek world. The Rhodians lost no time in siding with the
Macedonians, and even went as far as allowing them to set up a garrison in their city.

Later, during the siege of Tyre, they helped Alexander the Great to conquer it. 
When Alexander's empire fell to pieces, Rhodes developed close trade and political relations with the
Ptolemy Dynasty of Egypt; something which Antigonus, the King of Syria, did not favor because he foresaw
an inevitable alliance between Rhodes and Egypt in the war which he intended to declare against the latter.

Thus, in the summer of 305 BC, he sent his son, the famous Demetrius Poliorketes (the "besieger"), to capture the town of Rhodes. Despite their attackers numerical superiority, the Rhodians managed to resist capture for a whole year, and to force Demetrius to raise his siege. The great general departed from Rhodes in embarrassed haste, leaving behind his famous siege machines. These were later sold by the Rhodians, and from the proceeds they built an immense bronze statue of Helios. the famed Colossus. Following the destruction of Tyre, a serious trade rival of Rhodes, the island reached unprecedented heights.

The failure of Demetrius to take possession of the island marked the beginning of a new era for Rhodes, during which trade and maritime activities reached their highest peaks, excelling any other state. The Rhodians, wanting to show correct maritime conduct, put into effect the so-called "International Maritime Law of the Rhodians", a code of Law which is one of the most important early legal documents in the world and based on that is written the modern International Maritime Law. Of this maritime law, Emperor Antonius was prompted to write with admiration: "I may rule the world, but the Rodian's Law rules the seas".