|
|
Croesus, King of Lydia, sent a messenger with two bowls of an enormous size, one of gold, the other of silver, four silver casks, a number of silver basins, two ceremonial vases, one golden, one silver, and a golden female figure, four and a half feet high, as offerings to the oracle at Delphi. The messenger consulted the oracle in these terms, "Croesus, King of Lydia and other countries, believing that you are the only true oracle in the world, has sent you such presents as your revelations deserve, and now inquires of you whether he should go to war with the Persians." The oracle replied, "If Croesus attacks the Persians, he will destroy a mighty empire."
Emboldened by the answer, Croesus led his army across the Halys river, boundary of the Persian Empire, and attacked Cappadocia, beseiging the chief city and reducing the inhabitants to slavery.
On receiving the news Cyrus, King of Persia, levied a great army and marched against Croesus, increasing his forces at every step. The combat was hot and bloody, great numbers slain on both sides, but neither emerged the victor. The next day neither side attacked again. Realizing that Cyrus' army was much the larger, Croesus decided to retreat to Lydia, raise an even greater army and return the following spring. Reaching home, he disbanded his army.
Meanwhile Cyrus was secretly advancing, and with such speed that he was at the city's gates before Croesus was warned. After a seige, the fortress was breached and Croesus brought before Cyrus in chains.
"My Lord," Croesus beseeched, "suffer me to send these chains to the god of the Greeks, whom I once honored above all other gods, and ask him why he deceives his benefactors."
"What charge do you have against the god?" Cyrus inquired.
Croesus replied, "It was the encouragement by the oracle which led me to make war upon you."
Cyrus granted his wish, and ordered Lydian messengers to Delphi bearing Croesus' fetters. These they laid at the threshhold of the temple and delivered the question to the god.
The priestess replied, "When the god told him if he attacked the Persians he would destroy a mighty empire, he should have been wise and inquired of the oracle again, which empire was meant, that of the Persians or his own."
And so the mighty empire of Croesus was destroyed.
From: The Persian Wars, by Herodotus, 450 BC
|
|