LYDIA (kingdom in Bithynia)
Iron Age kingdom and then province in Asia Minor (1200–546 BC)
- Kind of place
- Kingdom
- Region
- Bithynia
- Where
- 40.00° N, 30.00° E
Lydia was a nation ruled by the king Croesus. Herodotus 1.47.1 Gold dust descends from the mountain Tmolus within this region. Herodotus 1.93.1 Lydia is described as having hollow vales. Aeschylus, Suppliant Maidens 547-555
Described in the sources
The mountain Tmolus is described as a bulwark or rampart surrounding the city of Sardis and situated entirely within the boundaries of Lydia. Euripides, Bacchae 43-63 +3 Omphale, daughter of Iardanes, held the title of queen over this region, where Heracles performed a period of servitude to her for a full year. Apollodorus 2.6.3 +2 Sardis is a location within the territory of Lydia, and a road leading to it passes through this territory. Herodotus 1.47.1 +1 The Maeander river serves as a boundary for some nations but runs through the middle of others, and is crossed by travelers moving through this area. Herodotus 7.31.1 +1 Cambles was the king of the Lydians. Athenaeus 10.8 Sardes is situated upon the Gygæan Lake. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.30 ¶1 The river Pactolus flows from Mount Tmolus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.30 ¶1 Sardes is situated on the side of Mount Tmolus. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 5.30 ¶1 The woodcock was transported from Lydia to Egypt. Athenaeus 9.39 Tantalus's physical body is buried in this region. Lucian, Dialogues of the Dead 17 ¶1
Stories and history
The local queen Omphale purchased Heracles to serve as her slave in this territory. Apollodorus 2.6.3 +2 The subject was conquered by the son of Zeus. Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 18 ¶1 The Lydians exposed their wives to all comers. Athenaeus 12.11 Sadyattes, son of Ardys, ruled Lydia for six years. Herodotus 1.18.2 The Lydians became effeminate and lived like women. Athenaeus 12.11 Lydia is the source of a purple-colored variety of fig. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 15.19 ¶1 A noble Lydian man rose up against Omphale's government. Athenaeus 12.11 The city of Sardis in Lydia was sacked by a Persian army. Bacchylides 3 Hercules caressed the queen of Lydia during his time there. Seneca, Hercules Oetaeus act 2 ¶7 Sadyattes initiated a war by invading the lands of Miletus. Herodotus 1.18.2
Myths set at Lydia
- The Seduction of Gyges. hook: "Candaules, king of Lydia, forces his bodyguard Gyges to secretly view his wife naked to prove her beauty.", "goal": "Gyges is commanded by the queen to kill Candaules and seize the throne.", "outcome": "Candaules is murdered in his sleep, and Gyges takes control of the queen and the royal authority."}, Herodotus 1.10.1 +5
- The Servitude to Omphale. hook: Hermes sells Heracles to the queen of Lydia, Omphale, after the killing of Iphitus. goal: Heracles serves as a purchased slave in Lydia, punishing robbers and performing tasks for his mistress. outcome: Omphale marvels at his valour, frees him, and marries him, bearing him a son. Apollodorus 2.6.3 +5 Heracles
- The Boar Slaughter in Lydia. Zeus sends a boar to destroy Lydian crops out of anger at Attis's honor. Attis and other Lydians are killed by the boar, leading to a ban on pork among the Gauls in Pessinus. Pausanias 7.17.10 +1
- The Conquest of India. hook: Zeus's son conquers Lydia and Thrace before turning his attention to India. goal: He seeks to subjugate the country of India and its king. outcome: He captures the Indian king and punishes scoffers, but his mother tears him apart. Lucian, Dialogues of the Gods 18 ¶1 Zeus