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Croesus (pronounced CREE-sus, IPA , the Latin Transliteration of the Greek Κροίσος, in Persian قارون ''Qârun''), who was legendary for his enormous wealth, was King of Lydia from 560/561 BC until his defeat by the Persians in about 547 BC . Born in 626 BC , he was the son of Alyattes and continued his father's policy of conquering the Ionia n cities of Asia Minor , but was friendlier to the Greek s than his father had been, giving refuge at one point to the Athenian statesman Solon . It was said that Adrastus exiled himself to Lydia after accidentally killing his brother. King Croesus welcomed him but then Adrastus accidentally killed Croesus' son, Atys . He then committed suicide. Croesus allied himself with in central Anatolia and an undecided battle was fought. As was usual in those days, the armies would disband for winter and Croesus did accordingly. Unfortunately for him Cyrus didn't and he attacked Croesus in Sardis and captured him. It became painfully clear that the powerful empire Croesus was about to destroy was his own. According to Herodotus , Croesus was placed upon a great pyre by Cyrus' orders, for Cyrus wanted to see if any of the heavenly powers would appear to save him from being burned alive. The pile was set ablaze, then Cyrus hearing from the interpreters that Croesus relented and bethinking himself that he too was a man, and one who once been as blessed by fortune, bade them to quench the blazing fire as quickly as they could. They tried to do this, but the flames were not to be mastered. According to the story, Croesus called out to Apollo and prayed to him. The sky had been clear and the day without a breath of wind, but soon dark clouds gathered and a storm with rain of such violence that the flames were speedily extinguished. Cyrus, convinced by this that Croesus was a good man, made Croesus an advisor who served Cyrus well and later Cyrus's son Cambyses , his son by Cassandane. It is not known when exactly Croesus died, although it is estimated to have happened in 546 BC , after Cyrus' conquest. In the Nabonidus Chronicle it is said that Cyrus "marched against the country Lydia, killed its king (Croesus), took his possessions, put there a garrison of his own." However, it should be noted that the cuneiform word that is thought to represent "Lydia" is damaged, and its interpretation is doubtful. LATER REFERENCES In Greek language and Persian Literature , the word "Croesus" has become a Synonym for a very rich man, and in English, expressions such as "rich as Croesus" or "richer than Croesus" are used to indicate great wealth. In the Games Workshop Warhammer Fantasy world, one of the special characters for the Orge Kingdoms army is Greasus Goldtooth. A hugley fat and incredibly wealthy tyrant, with Greasus being a play on Croesus. In addition, sharp-eyed viewers of The Simpsons may notice that Mr. Burns , the fabulously wealthy owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, lives near Croesus Avenue and Mammon Street. See also: Qarun Treasure EXTERNAL LINKS
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