Croesus was the son of Alyattes and was born in Lydia. He became one of the most powerful kings of his time. Croesus ruled all the lands west of the river Halys. This river formed a natural border in Asia Minor. It flowed from south to north and finally reached the Euxine Sea, which we now call the Black Sea.
Croesus is remembered as the first non-Greek ruler who had strong and lasting relations with the Greek world. Before his time, most Greek cities were free and ruled themselves. Croesus changed this situation by force and diplomacy The Persian View of the Conflict with Greece.
Croesus and the Greek Cities
Croesus conquered several Greek groups living in Asia Minor. These included the Aeolians, the Ionians, and the Dorians. After defeating them, he forced some cities to pay tribute to him. With other Greek states, he chose a different path and made alliances instead of war.
One important alliance was with the Lacedaemonians, also known as the Spartans. This treaty showed that Croesus was not only a strong warrior but also a skilled ruler who understood politics. Until this time, the Greeks had not been ruled by foreign kings. Earlier attacks, such as the Cimmerian raids on Ionia, were only acts of plunder and not true conquests.
The Kingdom of Lydia Before Croesus
The kingdom of Lydia had a long history before Croesus came to power. In earlier times, Lydia was ruled by a royal family known as the Heraclides. These kings claimed to be descendants of Hercules, the famous hero of Greek legend.
Before the Heraclides ruled, the people were called Meonians. They later took the name Lydians, after Lydus, the son of Atys. This change of name marked a new stage in the history of the land Sofia Old City Tours.
The Rise of the Mermnadae Dynasty
The rule of the Heraclides eventually ended, and power passed to a new family called the Mermnadae. Croesus belonged to this family. The story of how this change happened is important in Lydian history.
One of the last kings of the Heraclides was Candaules, who ruled from the city of Sardis. The Greeks also called him Myrsilus. He was a descendant of Alcaeus, who was said to be the son of Hercules. Candaules was the final king of this long dynasty.
The Long Rule of the Heraclides
The Heraclides came to power after receiving authority through an oracle. Once they gained control, they ruled Lydia for many generations. Their dynasty lasted for twenty-two generations, which is about five hundred and five years.
During this long period, the crown passed directly from father to son. This brought stability to Lydia and helped the kingdom grow stronger over time. From the first king, Agron, to the last, Candaules, the family kept firm control over the land.
A Turning Point in Lydian History
The fall of Candaules marked a major turning point. With the rise of the Mermnadae family, Lydia entered a new age. This eventually led to the reign of Croesus, whose wealth and power became famous across the ancient world.
Croesus stood at the meeting point of Greek and Asian history. His rule changed the balance of power and prepared the way for later conflicts between East and West.