9.40 Lydia (679-546 BC)

While the Phrygians were defeated by the Cimmerians in 680 BC, this is also the year king Gyges started the Lydian Mermnad Dynasty. He was initially an ally of the Cimmerians, but in 679 BC he defeated them, drove them eastwards and set up the Lydian Kingdom, now the most powerful kingdom in the region. There were further battles with the Cimmerians; some that devastated cities such as Ephesus, but the one in around 640 BC was decisive in favour of the Lydians (probably significantly aided by Assyrians). Gyges’ capital Sardis was rich and impressive (with houses having fired roof tiles). The Lydian prosperity came about because the small river Pactolus washed down vast quantities of gold. Meanwhile the Greek colonies were flourishing on the Aegean Coast. Over time Lydian kings increased their power and absorbed some of the Greek Colonies and signed peace treaties with others. Greek pottery has been found in Sardis dated to the early 7^th century BC. The Lydia Empire expanded until it covered the whole of Western Anatolia by the early 6^th century.

A potter’s shop has been discovered in Sardis that indicated how much influence the Greek colonies on the west coast had on pottery design, as the early proto-geometric style was abundant.

Geometric Period Kothon (for perfume and
water) 9-7 centuries BC - source Antalya
Museum

Epinetron 7-5 centuries BC - source
Antalya Museum

Utilitarian pottery included the epinetron that protects the knees of women spinning and weaving. However there was also influence from Cyprus and some unique Lydian developments. The latter included shapes taken from the Phrygians such as the one handled jug with oversized spout, and the “Lydion” scent vase having a narrow base, spherical body and wide neck to contain “baccaris” a Sardis speciality. An unusual find is a tankard with combined spout and handle decorated with black and red on buff with chequerboard on the body and birds around the top.

Tankard with spouted handle 7-6 centuries
BC - source Archaeological Museum,
Istanbul

Notable Lydian decoration was the close wavy lines resembling marble. Ceramic vessels (crucibles) were also used in the refinement of gold and its separation from silver. It is thought that the first coins outside China were minted in Lydia around 650 BC to pay soldiers. (Copper coins were found in a Shang Dynasty tomb dated to 11^th century BC).

The neighbouring Median leader Cyaxeres invaded Lydia, and on May 28^th in 585 BC they fought a pitched battle. However, part way through there was a total eclipse so, taking this as a sign, the two leaders decided to sign a peace treaty instead and a Median Prince married a Lydian Princess to seal the deal! The last Lydian king was Croesus (560-547 BC) who captured almost all the Greek coastal cities. Sardis was very prosperous thanks to the gold from Pactolus, hence the saying “as rich as Croesus”, but such wealth brought envy. The Persians under Cyrus the Great were expanding, so they attacked and defeated Croesus in 547 BC ending the Lydian State. There is a story that Croesus himself was placed on a pyre that was lit, but when he called out to Apollo to save him it rained and put out the fire. Considering this to be a miracle, Cyrus saved him and made him his counsellor and companion.