Name: Anonymous 2007-09-19 0:12 ID:w2Yl7zpH
The Persian Wars begin with the Ionian Revolt and the history of that revolt really begins with Croesus, king of Lydia, a land located in Asia Minor. He was fabulously wealthy thanks to his fostering of trade and thanks to the silver mines of Pergamum. In fact, he was so wealthy that the phrase "rich as Croesus" is still in our lexicon, though it sounds rather old-fashioned nowadays. Herodotus tells some good stories about Croesus, not least of which is a memorable encounter between the king and Solon of Athens.
Croesus had conquered most of the cities of Asia Minor by the time of our story, including the Greek cities. He was on fairly good terms with the Greeks, mainly because he let them tend to their own affairs. They were free to pursue their internal disputes, so long as they paid tribute money. This was palatable to the Greeks because trade was flourishing, thanks to Croesus' wise rule.
But the Ionian Greeks were not destined to enjoy the benefits of Lydian rule for long. Another power was rising in the east: Persia.
Croesus had conquered most of the cities of Asia Minor by the time of our story, including the Greek cities. He was on fairly good terms with the Greeks, mainly because he let them tend to their own affairs. They were free to pursue their internal disputes, so long as they paid tribute money. This was palatable to the Greeks because trade was flourishing, thanks to Croesus' wise rule.
But the Ionian Greeks were not destined to enjoy the benefits of Lydian rule for long. Another power was rising in the east: Persia.