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Lydia
Other names: Mĉonia (Greek)
KINGS OF LYDIA
All dates BCE |
| Ardysus 1 |
797- 761 |
| Alyattes 1 |
761- 747 |
| Meles |
747- 735 |
| Candaules |
735- 718 |
| Gyges |
718- 680 |
| Ardysus 2 |
680- 631 |
| Sadyattes |
631- 619 |
| Alyattes 2 |
619- 560 |
| Croesus |
560- 546 |
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Ancient kingdom in western Anatolia (now Turkey), lasting from the beginning of the 7th century BCE until 546 BCE.
At its largest, Lydia covered the western half of Anatolia, west of the Halys river (now Kizilirmak river) except the lands of Lycia.
The central region of Lydia were the lands from the Aegean Sea to the valleys of Hermus and Cayster rivers, now called Gediz and B˙ükmederes. The region had a fertile soil as well as rich deposits of gold and silver.
The Lydians are told to have been the first people to coin money, made from silver and gold. With the use of money did the Lydians spark a commercial revolution, and by this they had much influence on the Greek civilization from the 6th century and onwards.
The main economic activities of Lydia were agriculture and mining of silver and gold, as well as the manufacture and dyeing of delicate woollen stuffs and carpets. But with the kingdom's aggressiveness towards its neighbours, looting of foreign peoples brought in substantial wealth to the royal court.
The capital of Lydia was Sardis, which by its time's standards was unusually rich and beautiful.
There are many legends of Lydia, but a couple of them relates to liberal sexual attitudes. One tells that prostitution was accepted as a way for a young girl to earn her dowry. Another tells about king Candaules who was so proud of his wife's body that he allowed one bodyguard, Gyges to see her naked. As she raged over this offence, she forced Gyges to kill her husband and marry her. So he did, the legend tells, and he became king.
HISTORY
Early 7th century: Phrygia is destroyed by the Cimmerians, leaving Lydia the strongest nation to control western Anatolia.
685: The rise of the Mermnadae dynasty marks the beginning of the great period of Lydia.
620's: Final battle between Lydia and the Cimmerians, results in victory for Lydia.
619: Alyattes becomes king of Lydia.
590: Lydia resists invasions from Media and by the Cimmerians. They conquer large lands, especially in Ionia, and the state develops into an empire.
585: Peace is arranged with Media, and the Halys River is set as the border between the two kingdoms.
546: Sardis is captured by the Persians under the leadership of Cyrus 2 the Great. Lydia is incorporated into the Persian Empire.
334: The lands of Lydia is conquered by Alexander the Great, and comes under Greco-Macedonian control.
133: Lydia becomes part of the Roman province of Asia.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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