Lydian Kingdom

by Steve Hale

"And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh'" ( Daniel 7:5).

From the chronology and history surrounding Daniel, it is clear that the bear was the great Persian Empire. Persia was known for its conquest of three other great empires: Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. These powers were the "three ribs" in the mouth of the bear. All of us are familiar with Babylon and Egypt, but what about Lydia? The first convert in Europe was named Lydia ( Acts 16:13-15), who no doubt was named for the great empire of Lydia. Thyatira was
an ancient city from the kingdom of Lydia, and some scholars have suggested that Lydia was not her personal name, but a designation of her home place. Suggestions of Euodia or Syntyche ( Philippians 4:2) have been made for her personal name. This is all, of course, scholarly conjecture, and not fact. But,
it is interesting.

The Kingdom of Lydia enters the world scene in 660 B.C., when the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal demanded tribute from the Lydian king, "Gyges of Luddi." The grandson of Gyges, Alyattes, built the Lydian Empire during his fabulous fifty-seven year reign.

Alyattes captured Smyrna, the greatest port of the Asian coast, and one-by-one, added Greek coastal towns to his domain. Though he let the Greek cities retain their own customs and institutions, their taxes, along with Lydian gold, made Lydian monarchs the richest kings since Solomon.

Croesus was the son and heir of Alyattes, and the most important Lydian king in relation to the Bible. He was fabulously wealthy, spawning the simile: "as rich as Croesus."

The undoing of Croesus and the Lydian Empire came when they attacked Cyrus the Great. Victorious over Cappadocians, Croesus was filled with confidence. The benevolent Cyrus offered Croesus his throne and kingdom if he (Croesus) would recognize Persian sovereignty. Croesus replied the Persians would be slaves of the Lydians. Cyrus immediately attacked Croesus.

After two indecisive battles, Croesus was driven from the field of battle. Croesus begged for Egypt, Greece, or Babylon to help him, but it was too late. The Lydian capital of Sardis fell, and Croesus was taken prisoner.

Hence, we have the third rib in the mouth of the Persian bear! Though, as was his custom, Cyrus dealt kindly with Croesus, the Lydian king sat upon a pyre, while a servant lit it. The once very wealthy Lydian Empire became a Persian satrapy called Saparda (Sardis). Pactyas, a native of Lydia, was put in charge of the captured treasury of Croesus.

Thus ends a supposedly invincible and fabulously wealthy empire. Such is the lot of all empires not blessed by Almighty God!

July 5, 1998

Related Articles:

Print this Article

Discuss this Article

Back to the Sermon Page



Lydian Kingdom by Steve Hale "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh'" ( Daniel 7:5). From the chronology and history surrounding Daniel, it is clear that the bear was the great Persian Empire. Persia was known for its conquest of three other great empires: Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. These powers were the "three ribs" in the mouth of the bear. All of us are familiar with Babylon and Egypt, but what about Lydia? The first convert in Europe was named Lydia ( Acts 16:13-15), who no doubt was named for the great empire of Lydia. Thyatira was an ancient city from the kingdom of Lydia, and some scholars have suggested that Lydia was not her personal name, but a designation of her home place. Suggestions of Euodia or Syntyche ( Philippians 4:2) have been made for her personal name. This is all, of course, scholarly conjecture, and not fact. But, it is interesting. The Kingdom of Lydia enters the world scene in 660 B.C., when the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal demanded tribute from the Lydian king, "Gyges of Luddi." The grandson of Gyges, Alyattes, built the Lydian Empire during his fabulous fifty-seven year reign. Alyattes captured Smyrna, the greatest port of the Asian coast, and one-by-one, added Greek coastal towns to his domain. Though he let the Greek cities retain their own customs and institutions, their taxes, along with Lydian gold, made Lydian monarchs the richest kings since Solomon. Croesus was the son and heir of Alyattes, and the most important Lydian king in relation to the Bible. He was fabulously wealthy, spawning the simile: "as rich as Croesus." The undoing of Croesus and the Lydian Empire came when they attacked Cyrus the Great. Victorious over Cappadocians, Croesus was filled with confidence. The benevolent Cyrus offered Croesus his throne and kingdom if he (Croesus) would recognize Persian sovereignty. Croesus replied the Persians would be slaves of the Lydians. Cyrus immediately attacked Croesus. After two indecisive battles, Croesus was driven from the field of battle. Croesus begged for Egypt, Greece, or Babylon to help him, but it was too late. The Lydian capital of Sardis fell, and Croesus was taken prisoner. Hence, we have the third rib in the mouth of the Persian bear! Though, as was his custom, Cyrus dealt kindly with Croesus, the Lydian king sat upon a pyre, while a servant lit it. The once very wealthy Lydian Empire became a Persian satrapy called Saparda (Sardis). Pactyas, a native of Lydia, was put in charge of the captured treasury of Croesus. Thus ends a supposedly invincible and fabulously wealthy empire. Such is the lot of all empires not blessed by Almighty God! July 5, 1998 Related Articles: Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM