Croesus

Family: Lydian · Role: ruler and son of Alyattes · First appears: Book 1 · §1–8

Croesus succeeded Alyattes as king, conquered the Hellenes in Asia and made them pay tribute, then befriended the Ionians of the islands. As his dominion grew across the lands west of the Halys, he hosted Solon but later sent him away holding him in no esteem. In Sardis, advice attributed to Bias or Pittacos persuaded him to stop building ships. He arranged a marriage for his son Atys and kept him from military affairs after a dream warned of his death by an iron spear-point. When Adrastos, exiled after accidentally killing his brother, came to Sardis, Croesus cleansed and welcomed him. Croesus initially refused to let Atys join a boar hunt, then relented and appointed Adrastos to protect him; after Atys died, Croesus mourned, called upon Zeus, and buried his son.

After a period of mourning, Croesus turned to checking the Oracles and seeking to curb Persian power. He sent offerings to Delphi and dedicated a gold shield and spear to Amphiaraos. The Oracles warned that a campaign against Persia would destroy a great empire and advised him to ally with powerful Hellenes. Croesus formed an alliance with Sparta, but misread the prophecy and marched against Cyrus. With help attributed to Thales, his army crossed the Halys; Croesus captured Pteria and enslaved its people, then fought Cyrus without a decisive victory. He returned to Sardis intending to gather allies, but the Lydian fortress fell and he was captured.

In Cyrus’s power, Croesus urged him to follow his advice about the plunder and was permitted to send his fetters to Delphi and question the god. After hearing the Oracle’s explanation, Croesus acknowledged that the fault was his own. He also advised Cyrus to spare the Lydians from enslavement by restricting their weapons and changing their way of life; Cyrus accepted the advice. Cyrus later entrusted Croesus to Cambyses, who threatened his life but subsequently rejoiced to learn he had survived. Croesus also compelled the people of Lampsacos to release Miltiades, and invited Alcmaion to Sardis, giving him the gold he could carry and an additional gift of equal value.