LYDIAN

The Lydian’s are well known for their commercial trade within their region. This kingdom prospered between the years 1200 BCE and 546 BCE due to their economic innovations and expansive trade routes. Early on, the Lydian’s boosted their wealth and natural resources through their popular trade routes previously established by the Hittite people in the 12th century. Later, the Lydian kings developed the first coin currency between the years 680 BCE to 546 BCE. The Lydians prospered until their sudden decline in 546 BCE with the Achaemenid King, Cyrus the Great [i], conquering their country, putting an end to the Lydian Empire.

The Lydians were a highly praised nation, with praise comes jealousy and with jealousy attracts anger. For generations, the Lydians defended and conquered lands against their neighbors and rivals. The kings of Lydia conquered cities and western frontiers to the Aegean Sea and the Achaemenid empire’s western border. Throughout these wars, the Lydian’s allied with Assyria [ii] and the Milesians [iii] by allowing colonies to be built within each of their states. They also fought and claimed victory over the Cimmerians [iv] around 625 BCE. Their longest standing rival, Achaemenid, led by Cyrus the Great defeated King Croesus ending the Lydian civilization in 546 BCE.

Along with creating the world’s firsts bimetallic currency system (the invention of gold and silver coins), the Lydians are credited for initiating much of the ancient trade, commerce, and wealth flows throughout the ancient world, especially given its location in between the Roman and Achaemenid empires. King Croesus, near the beginning of his rule, built the temple of Artemis at Ephesus [v]. It became one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world [vi]. In addition to Greek mythology, Lydia had numerous Christian communities, even becoming one of the major provinces of the diocese of Asia in the Patriarchate of Constantinople [vii]

One of Lydian’s earliest kings, Lydus [viii], is where the term Lydian comes from. The ruling system was hereditary through the sons of each previous king, as with most patriarchal empires of the eta. The historian, Herodotus, documents that the family of Lydus, ruled the Lydian empire through 22 generations [ix] for a total of 505 years from 1192 BCE. Then, in 687 BCE, the last king from Lydus’s line was assassinated and succeeded by his former friend Gyges [x], whose descendants led to the end of the Lydian empire, ending with king Croesus. The phrase "rich as Croesus'' [xi] refers to him.

After the end of the Phrygian Empire [xii], the Lydians took control of the region of Western Anatolia. King Gyges, Lydia established trade and good relationships with other states, increasing its own wealth at the same time [xiii]. He built the famous royal road built from Ephesus through Sardis [xiv]. According to the tale, when Cyrus the Great from the Achaemenid Empire invaded Lydia, he ordered King Croesus to be burned at the stake. However, he tried to have the fire extinguished to no avail [xv] until it began to rain. Cyrus the Great became convinced that Croesus was favored by the Gods [xvi]

The Lydians are designated as the first community to use were the first people to use gold and silver coins [xvii] as well as the first community to establish permanent retail locations [xviii] for goods and services. The Lydians are often called one of history’s richest civilizations [xix] as a result of their coinage, trading, and engagement throughout the ancient world. Its capital, Sardis, can attribute its wealth and prosperity [xx] to its location is Western Turkey and, importantly, its abundant water, mineral, and natural resources - most notably the legendary gold-bearing sands of the Pactolus stream [xxi]. It is also known for its perfumes vases [xxii], especially baccaris.

The Lydian empire prospered as a commercial civilization. Located on fertile plains and rich mines near the base of Mount Tmolus [xxiii], they thrived as an epicenter for trade and agriculture. They provided wine, horses, luxurious fabrics and clothes, and mines that birthed gold. Through the expansive mines, electrum was invented through the mixing of gold and silver. This combination was the world’s first metallic currency that paved the way for all future methods of currency. Under King Croesus' reign [xxiv], this electrum was then improved into separate gold and silver coins thus decreasing the value of electrum and raising the coinage’s value.