Lydia

Lydia was an ancient kingdom of Asia Minor, also known as Mæonia. Its principal city was Sardis.

The boundaries of Lydia varied across the centuries. It was first bounded by Mysia Major[?], Caria, Phrygia and Ionia. Later on, it grew to contain all the land between the Halys[?] river and the Aegean sea. The empire's name became synonymous with wealth and Sardis was renowned as a beautiful city.

The name Lydia is derived from Lydus[?], a king of Mæonia.

The last Lydian king, Croesus was beaten by Cyrus in 548 BC and the kingdom became a province of the Persian empire.

Selected Monarchs of Lydia with date of accession.

• 797 BC Ardysus I[?]
• 761 BC[?] Alyattes I[?]
• 747 BC Meles[?]
• 735 BC[?] Candaules[?]
• 718 BC Gyges
• 680 BC[?] Ardysus II[?]
• 631 BC Sadyates
• 619 BC Alyattes II
• 562 BC[?] Croesus