280 LYDIA-ANECDOTE OF GYGES. tlers. The most celebrated of these expeditions was at home. The adventurers placed themselves under led by Althæmenes of Argos. He went first to Crete, the command of Tyrrhenus, the king's son, and prowhere he left one division of his followers, and proceed-ceeded first to Smyrna, where they built a fleet. They ed with the rest to Rhodes. About 1049 B. C., Halicar- then sailed westward in search of a country proper nassus was founded on the Carian shore by a colony of for a settlement, and, after a variety of wanderings, Dorians from Trazene, in Greece. Cnidus, in the came finally to Umbria, or Etruria, in Italy. In this same neighborhood, was settled by Dorians from Laco- manner according to Herodotus, originated the Etrusnia. A third band from Epidaurus took possession of cans, afterward so famous. the Island of Cos. These colonies formed an association, from which several others of the same race, and in their neighborhood, were excluded. The confederacy at first comprised six cities, namely, Cnidus, Cos, Camira, Ialysus, Lindus, and Halicarnassus. The last was, at a later period, excluded, and the confederacy went by the name of the Pentapolis, or five cities. They had a chief temple at Triope, where they exhibited solemn games in honor of Apollo Triopeus. The prizes were tripods of brass, which the victors were expected to consecrate to Apollo, and leave in the temple. The violation of this custom, by a citizen of Halicarnassus, caused that city to be excluded from the Dorian confederacy. The political history of these people is substantially the same with that of their neighbors - the Ionians. After living under free governments for some time, they were successively subjected to the sway of the Lydians, the Persians, the Macedonians, and finally became absorbed into the Roman empire. LYDIA. CHAPTER CXLV. 1600 to 716 B. C. Story Foundation of the Kingdom · of Gyges and Candaules. THE kingdom of Lydia comprised various territories in Asia Minor, and varied considerably in extent at different times. In a general description, it may be said to have been situated between Phyrgia, Mysia, and the Ægean Sea. It was sometimes called Meonia, from King Meon. According to Josephus, the Lydians were named from Lud, one of the sons of Shem. Herodotus, on the other hand, derives the name from Lydus, an ancient king of the country. On our very first introduction to the history of this country, we find an absolute monarchical government, established with an hereditary succession of power. There have been reckoned three distinct dynasties in Lydia-the Atyada, named from Atys, the son of Manes, the first of the kings respecting whom there is no distinct account; the Heraclidæ, or descendants of Hercules; and the Mermnada. This Manes has been supposed to be the king mentioned by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who, from being a slave to a cartwright, was raised to the throne of Lydia. In the reign of Atys, the son of Manes, which may be placed in the seventeenth century before Christ, a severe famine prevailed throughout Lydia for the space of eighteen years. Herodotus affirms that, in their distress, the Lydians invented games to amuse themselves and draw off their thoughts from their sufferings: every second day they played at checkers, hopscotch, and similar sports, instead of eating dinner. But, although they obtained some alleviation of their distress by these contrivances, the famine still pressed severely upon them; and at length the king divided the whole nation by lot into two bodies, one of which was compelled to emigrate, while the other remained After this occurs a barren period in the history of Lydia, which contains a mere catalogue of kings, with only a few events to distinguish them, and these of an incredible character. It seems probable, however, that the Lydians had degenerated from the ancient simplicity of their manners, and had become noted for profligacy and effeminacy. The dynasty of the Atyadæ appears to have ended with the transfer of the crown to Argon, who established the seat of his government at Sardis. This monarch is described by Herodotus as the first of the Heraclidæ. Of the immediate descendants of Argon hardly any thing is related, till we come to Candaules, who flourished perhaps about the time of the foundation of Rome, or in the middle of the eighth century before Christ. Of this king we have an anecdote preserved by Pliny the naturalist, who relates that a picture was once shown to Candaules, which so excited his admiration, that he purchased it for its weight in gold. Herodotus gives a particular relation of the manner in which this monarch lost his throne and his life, which has been so often quoted, that it demands some notice here. Candaules had a very beautiful wife, whose superiority over other women in personal charms was often the theme of his conversation. It was not cus tomary for females to expose themselves much to sight in Lydia, but the king wished to convince his favorite courtier, Gyges, by ocular proof, of the surpassing beauty of the queen. pro The courtier in vain expostulated against this posal; but the king insisted on his obedience to the command, and Gyges was obliged to acquiesce by concealing himself in the bed-chamber. On his retiring, he was observed by the queen, who determined to revenge the indignity to which she had been subjected. The next morning, accordingly, she sent for Gyges, and proposed to him either to assassinate Candaules, and take his place, or to suffer death. Ambition conspired with the love of life to determine the courtier's choice. He assassinated the king during his sleep, and obtained possession of his throne and the hand of his queen. Such is the account of Herodotus; but other Greek writers relate a different story. Plato describes Gyges as having been originally a shepherd, who possessed a magical ring, which had the property of making the wearer invisible. By the help of this, he gained admission into the king's palace, and was enabled to carry on such plots and intrigues as to dethrone the king and obtain the crown for himself. Cicero also relates this fable. Plutarch agrees neither with Herodotus nor Plato, but makes the accession of Gyges to the throne a much more ordinary event. According to his representation, Gyges raised an insurrection against Candaules, and overthrew him in battle. Herodotus, however, has been generally followed as the best authority, as he was born in a city of Asia Minor near to Lydia, and at a time when the events which he describes were sufficiently recent to be well remembered. The Lydians were strongly attached to the memory | tions six golden cups, which, from their weight, must of Candaules, and took up arms against his murderer. have been worth upwards of two hundred thousand Gyges contrived to have the question of the succession dollars. The sentence of the oracle was favorable to to the throne referred to the oracle of Delphi, in Gyges. This prince soon extended the boundaries of Greece, which was famous throughout the neighbor- his kingdom, by successful military adventures. He ing countries. He made large presents to the temple reigned thirty-eight years, and died, leaving his son of Delphi, which, no doubt, influenced the decision of Ardyes to complete his conquests. the oracle. Among these presents, Herodotus men OF Ardyes and his successor Sadyattes, there is little recorded to demand our attention. Alyattes, the next king, became involved in a war with Cyaxares the Mede, by the following circumstances, which are related on the authority of Herodotus. Certain Scythian fugitives had taken refuge in Media, where they were protected by the king. He intrusted some young men to their care, to be taught the Scythian language and the use of the bow. These strangers were skilful hunters; but one day returning from the chase without bringing any game for the king's table, he received them with much ill humor. Their anger was roused, and they determined on a horrible revenge. They killed one of the young men committed to their care, and, dressing the flesh in the manner of game, served it up at the table of Cyaxares. The crime was discovered, and the Scythians fled to Lydia, where Alyattes refused to deliver them up to the vengeance of the Median king. This refusal brought on a war between the two nations. In the sixth year of this war happened the remarkable event of an eclipse of the sun at the moment when the Lydian and Median armies were engaged in battle which we have already mentioned in the history of Media. A peace immediately followed, and the alliance between the two nations was strengthened by an intermarriage. Alyattes made war upon the Cimmerians, and drove them out of Asia, He also cap tured the cities of Smyrna and Clazomene; but his most serious and protracted conflict was with the people of Miletus. When the siege of this city had been continued for to great suffering for want of provisions. Alyattes, supsix years by the Lydians, the inhabitants were reduced posing this to be the case, sent a herald into the city to propose a surrender. The Milesians, having intelligence of his approach, determined upon a stratagem. They collected all the edibles that could be found in the city, and spread them in the market-place. When the herald arrived, he was amazed to see the people engaged in a plenteous feast. On his return to the camp of Alyattes, he informed him of what he had witnessed; and the king, believing that provisions were abundant within the city, raised the siege in despair, and made peace with the Milesians. Alyattes was succeeded by his son Croesus, whose reign gave great celebrity to Lydia, while his name became proverbial for riches; his story has also assisted the moralists of every subsequent age to illustrate the uncertain tenure of worldly prosperity. He began his reign about 562 B. C. He was almost perpetually engaged in war, and enlarged his kingdom by the acquisition of Phrygia, Mysia, Paphlagonia, Bithynia, Pamphylia, and Caria, with all the territories in Asia Minor, occupied by the Ionians, Dorians, and Eolians. Herodotus observes that he was the first conqueror of the Greeks of Asia Minor, who till then had never been subject to a foreign power. Having extended his conquests to the shores of the Egean, he projected the equipment of a fleet for the purpose of attacking the islands in that sea. But Bias, one of the wise men of Greece, dissuaded him from this design, and he more wisely sought the among the great cities of Asia. In the estiof Xenophon, it was second only to Babylon es. Herodotus states that it was a place of esort, and frequented by all those who were ced in Greece for their talents and wisdom. us invited Solon, the Athenian sage, to Sardis, pitably entertained him in his palace; but this an beheld the magnificence of the king and tiers with a calm and mortifying indifference. conducted to the royal treasury, to view and the riches it contained. Cræsus then asked o, in his opinion, was the happiest man in the expecting to hear himself named. Solon re thrust from the spear of the Phrygian. The unt king pardoned the slayer, believing that his hand been guided by an unavoidable fatality; but the I inconsolable for what he had done, retired, at the of night, to the spot where Atys was buried, and fessing himself the most miserable of mankind, mitted suicide upon the grave! CHAPTER CXLVII. 556 to 548 В. С. Tellus, an Athenian, who, under the protection War of Cræsus with Cyrus of Persia – Excellent form of government, had many virtud amiable children. He saw their offspring, y all survived him. At the close of an honorad prosperous life, on the field of victory, he varded by a public funeral by the city." us, though disappointed in this reply, demanded Solon would assign the next degree of felicity; eiving an answer no more satisfactory than the e exclaimed, "Man of Athens, think you so of my prosperity, as to rank me below private of low condition?" Solon, unwilling either r or exasperate the king, replied, "King of the Greeks have no taste for the splendors of - Moreover, the vicissitudes of life suffer us be elated by any present good fortune, or to that felicity which is liable to change. He, re, whom Heaven smiles upon to the last, is, in imation, the happy man!" With these words departed, leaving Cræsus chagrined, but not ed. Esop, the famous fabulist, is said to have en at the court of Sardis; and we are told that arked to Solon, "You see that we must either ne near kings, or say only what is agreeable to To which the sage replied, "We should ay what is useful, or say nothing." vicissitudes of fortune which Solon would have king to contemplate, were presently exemin the royal family. Cræsus had two sons: them was dumb, but the other, whose name ys, was distinguished by superior accomplishThe king is said to have had a vision, which him that this son would die by the point of an ear. The terrified father determined to settle marriage, and devote him to a pacific life. away his command in the army, and removed ose about his person every military weapon. at this time, an unfortunate homicide, named us, arrived at Sardis. He had accidentally his brother, was banished from home by his and, according to the custom of pagan ansought expiation of a neighboring prince. He ed to the royal family of Phrygia, and was rein a friendly manner by Cræsus, who gave him lum at his court. Shortly after this event, a ar of extraordinary size appeared near OlymMysia. The terrified inhabitants requested =to send his son, with hunters and dogs, to dene formidable animal. The king, remembering Delphian Oracle - Overthrow of the Ly Monarchy. CRESUS passed two years in mourning for his who was the only hope of the royal house of L At length, his jealousy was awakened, and his mi ardor roused, by the progress of a neighboring p which was rapidly advancing to a formidable g ness. This was the Persian empire under Cyru Great, which threatened to make serious encr ments upon the Lydian dominion, and even to a it entirely. Cræsus determined to try the chanc war with this new competitor. He was very relig according to the superstition of the pagans, and would begin any important enterprise without com ing the ministers of the various deities which worshipped in those countries. But, in order to a certain judgment of the answers which he s receive, he desired to assure himself beforehan the truth of these pretended expounders of super ral knowledge. For this purpose, he sent messengers to all the celebrated oracles in Greece and Africa, with o to inquire every one, at his respective oracle, Cræsus was doing at such a day and such an before agreed upon. The answers, in general, hav been preserved, and are said to have been unsat tory to the king. But we are told that the messer had no sooner entered the temple of Delphi, and posed their question, than the following reply made: "I count the sand; I measure out the sea; Where brass below and brass above it lies." When Cræsus learnt this, he exclaimed that was no true oracle but that of Delphi; for, on the in question, determining to do what it would be eq difficult to discover or explain, he had cut in piec tortoise and a lamb, and boiled them together in a ered vessel of brass. Such is the story relate Herodotus, and which has been repeated even grave and philosophical historian of modern time if it were a well-authenticated fact. That the o was consulted by Cræsus need not be doubted the marvellous part of the tale is more likely to been an invention of the priests of Delphi, to rais nis he formed a number of large tablets, and swer was equally satisfactory with the former Pell into the hands of the conqueror, who conn to be burnt alive. The funeral pile was nd the captive prince led forth to execution. e torch was about to be applied, Cræsus ind the warning admonitions which he had om the Athenian sage. Struck with their verwhelmed with grief at having disregardLe cried aloud, "Solon! Solon! Solon!" , according to the barbarous custom of was present at the spectacle with his chief nanded the reason of this outcry, on which ory was related to him. Cyrus was greatly e narration, and, reflecting upon the trane of human greatness, he began to feel for the unfortunate king of Lydia. He rdered the fire to be extinguished, and e set at liberty. conclusions. The kingdom of Lydia became absorbed into Persian empire by the conquest of Cyrus, and this period it has no longer an independent his Cyrus appears to have treated Crœsus most huma during the rest of his life. He received him inte confidence and familiarity, and even permitted hin retain the title of king. According to Xenop Cyrus carried Cræsus with him wherever he w probably with a double view of securing his pe and making use of his counsel in administering affairs of the empire. If we may believe this aut the dethroned monarch was in reality a gainer by loss of his kingdom, as he exchanged a load of pu care and the pomp of royalty for ease, security, enjoyment. As the Lydians had no historians of their own accounts which we have given of these people chiefly derived from the Greek writers, who were apt to exaggerate and embellish all that they relate foreigners. There is probably considerable rom= in the Lydian history, but, for want of collateral thorities, we are unable to separate the true from fabulous in these narratives. Lydia was celebrated for its ancient capital, Sa a city whose origin is anterior to the records of his though some believe it to have been founded after Trojan war. Its situation was on the slope of M Tmolus, and the citadel, which was of remark strength, stood on a lofty hill, having a perpendic precipice on one side. It is related that one of kings, an ancestor of Cræsus, believed that by lea a lion round the wall, he should render this for impregnable. In performing the ceremony, he lected the steep side, as inaccessible. Cræsus attacked by the Persians, under Cyrus, in the before Sardis, and defeated; but the citadel held Cyrus laid siege to the place, and offered a rewa any one who would first scale the wall. A Pe soldier, who had seen a Lydian descend the prec for his helmet, which had fallen down the rock ir quarter, tried to ascend there, where not even a s nel had been placed. He succeeded, and Sardis taken. Under the Persian dominion, the satrap the monarch resided at Sardis. This city saw many vicissitudes of fortune. I time of Darius, the Milesians made war against Pe A body of them sailed to Ephesus, and, leaving ships at Mount Corissus, marched up by the 1 Cayster, crossed Mount Tmolus, and took Sardi surprise. The citadel, however, being strongly { soned, resisted the attack. A soldier set fire to or the houses, which quickly caused a general confl tion. The city was laid in ashes, and the Mile returned to their ships in safety. On the invasi Asia by Alexander, Sardis, with the citadel, fel his hands. Under the Romans, it became a flouri place, and not inferior to any of its neighbors the reign of Tiberius, it suffered greatly by an Ling his freedom, Cræsus immediately sent e fetters by which he had been confined, is as a reproach to the oracle for deceiving se promises of success to his arms. The Tests found no great difficulty in justifying | quake, which also did great damage to many of Asia Minor. In the year 400, it was plunby the Goths, who had revolted from the emperor us. On the overthrow of the Roman empire, was subjected to every sort of calamity from mies of barbarians, who overran the country, last fell completely to ruin. Walls and coland other fragments of massive ruins, still mark ot, and the remains of an edifice are pointed out traveller as the house of Cræsus. ew miles from Sardis is to be seen the buryingof the Lydian kings, consisting of mounds or s of various sizes. Four or five are distind by their superior magnitude, and are visible on Is at a great distance. One of them is described rodotus as the greatest structure in Lydia, and r only to the works of the Egyptians and onians. This is the monument of Alyattes, the of Cræsus, a vast mound of earth heaped on a ent of large stones. It was erected about 460 before Christ. his maritime expeditions. At one period, acco to the same author, the Carians distinguished selves above all the neighboring nations. They exc in the manufacture of arms, and the Greeks asc to them the invention of crested helmets, an devices and handles of shields. They seem to been at an early period, renowned for their pira which was, doubtless, the cause of the hostility w against them by Minos, while he was willing, a same time, to make use of their skill and naval e prise to increase his own power. There is some reason, however, for believing the Phœnicians had settled colonies in Caria b the arrival of the Leleges. At a later period Greeks found their way into this region. Halica sus, the principal city, was founded by a Doric co from Træzene, and, on account of its origin, w first included in the Dorian confederation. Fron society it was expelled by its associates in consequ of a religious scruple. A citizen of Halicarna named Agasicles, having gained the prize tripod a games celebrated in honor of the Triopian Ap carried it home, instead of presenting it to the te of the god as an offering - which was the usual cus This was deemed a sacrilegious act, and the five Dorian cities resolved that Halicarnassus shou consequence be excluded from all future particip in the festivities, which was practically an expu of that city from the Doric union. Caria, after enjoying an independent govern for some time, fell under the sway of the king Lydia, and, on the overthrow of that power, it bec a province of the Persian empire. The policy of Persian kings was to establish in each tributary sta government of despotic authority, in order to se its dependence on the head of the empire. Upon system, a dynasty of Carian princes was establis at Halicarnassus. The conquest of Alexander tr ferred Caria from the Persian to the Macedo dominion. Halicarnassus, which attempted to r his arms, was captured and razed to the ground. was afterward rebuilt, and, to compensate for its los had six towns annexed to its jurisdiction. Caria afterward made a province of the kingdom of Eg It then fell under the dominion of Antiochus the Gr king of Syria. On the defeat of this monarch |