The Colossus of Nero, as it came to be known, was 120 feet of upright bronze, self-commemorating a tyrant who had -- among other acts of depravity -- murdered his own mother.

Although the Colossus is not the largest statue ever built - the bronze Colossus of Nero was almost 100ft tall - "it is the largest among those preserved," Parisi Presicce said.

While not the largest ever built – the infamous bronze Colossus of Nero was over 30 metres high – “it is the largest among those preserved,” he said.

A colossal statue of Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, light, music and poetry, has emerged from white calcified cliffs in southwestern Turkey, Italian archaeologists announced.

While not the largest ever built -- the infamous bronze Colossus of Nero was over 30 metres high -- "it is the largest among those preserved," he said.