CMESUS, the last of the Mermnadre, son of Alyattes, succeeded his father Alyattea as king of Lydia at the age of thirty-five, n.e. 560. (Herod., i. 7 and 26.) But before this time ho seems to have been associated with his father in the government. (Clinton, 'Fast. HeL; p. 297 ; and Larcher, On Herod.; i. 27.) /lo was contemporary with Pisistratus, tyrant of Athens (Herod., L 59), and with Anaxandrides, king of Sparta (i. 67). He attacked and reduced to subjection all the Ionians and lEolians in Asia (i. 26), and all the nations west of the Halys (i. 28). The increase of the Persian power led him, after con sulting various oracles in Europe, Asia, and Africa, to form an alliance with Amasis, king of Egypt (1. 77), and with the Lacedmmonians (L 69), as the most powerful people of Hellas, about D.O. 554. (Clinton, 'Fast. Hel.,' p. 207.) Ho subsequently attacked and conquered the Cappadocian Syrians beyond the lialys, and engaged in battle with Cyrus, in which however neither was victorious. He returned to Sardis, intending to wait till the following year to renew the war; but Cyrtis, anticipating his designs, attacked him in his own capital, defeated him, and took Sardis, n.e. 546. Crcesus was made prisoner
and was placed on a pile to be burnt, but Cyrus relented, and the firo was extinguished. He reigned fourteen years. After his captivity he became Cyrus's favourite companion and adviser in his future wars. When Cyrus died he recommended Census to his son and successor, Cambyses, as one in whom he might confide as a friend. Crcesus however did not long continue in the favour of Carubyses; he took upon himself on one occasion to admonish the king, believing him to be insane, and he had great difficulty in escaping with his life. Little is known of him after this period. While king he was visited by Solon, and Ilerodotus (i. 30-33) records a long conversation between them on wealth and happiness. The riches of Crcosus were so great that his name had almost passed into a proverb. It is said that ho had a son who was born deaf and dumb, but who gained the faculty of speech by the effort which he made to cry out when ho saw a Persian going to kill his father at the capture of Sardis. (lierodotus; Plutarch, Life of Solon.)