# Croesus — Histories character guide

> Croesus in Histories by Herodotus.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Croesus the Lydian, Lycians

**First appearance:** 0002-book-i-clio

## Snapshot

The fabulously wealthy Lydian king who tested oracles, misread their warnings, and discovered that no man should be called happy until he is dead.

## Who they are

Croesus rules Lydia at the height of its prosperity, his court a byword for gold and generosity, his confidence in his own good fortune unshakeable. He tests the Greek oracles and, satisfied with their accuracy, consults Delphi about war with Persia—receiving the ambiguous prophecy that a great empire will fall. His encounter with Solon, who warns him that wealth is no guarantee of happiness, foreshadows the reversal that will strip him of his kingdom and bring him to Cyrus's pyre, where he finally understands the lesson.

## Relationships

### [Cyrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cyrus)

_professional_

Croesus, the defeated Lydian king, becomes a trusted advisor to Cyrus after his capture.

## In the story

### [Histories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/histories)

Lydian king whose defeat by Cyrus marks a key early event in the narrative of Persian expansion.

### [Book I: Clio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-i-clio)

Former Lydian king, now advisor to Cyrus, offering counsel based on his own bitter experiences.

### [Book III: Thaleia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-iii-thaleia)

Former Lydian king who counsels Cambyses but narrowly escapes execution.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/croesus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters