In 550 BC, Cyrus II (c.46; r.559-530 BC) united the Persian tribes, overthrew the Median king Astyages (r.585-550 BC), and founded the Achaemenid Dynasty (550-330 BC) – named after an eponymous ancestor Achaemenes. Cyrus’ victory gave him rule over the former Median provinces of northern Mesopotamia, eastern Anatolia and Cappadocia.
In the spring of 547 BC the Lydian king Croesus led his army across the Halys River into Cappadocia, apparently to acquire former Media dependencies for himself and to forestall the westward advance of the Persians. It was probably autumn when Cyrus’ army arrived and an inconclusive battle was fought near Pteria (=Bogazcale?). Croesus, deciding the campaigning season was practically over, retired to Sardis and disbanded his forces; Cyrus, however, pursued the Lydian army and a second battle was fought in front of Sardis. The Lydian cavalry might have put up some resistance, but in the vanguard of his attack Cyrus had placed a screen of baggage-camels whose smell had a predictable effect on the Lydian horses. In the resulting chaos, Croesus was defeated and the Lydians had to retreat into Sardis, which fell after a fourteen-day siege.
Cyrus returned to Ecbatana (=Hamadan), leaving a garrison under the Persian Tabalos as governor at Sardis. The Lydian treasure was entrusted to local official Pactyas. Soon after Cyrus departed, Pactyas took the funds and raised a revolt. He camped in front of Sardis and besieged Tabalos in the citadel. Cyrus sent his general Mazares to put down the revolt. Tabalos fled but was eventually handed over by the Chians. Mazares then began to attack the cities that had supported the rebellion. Priene and Magnesia on the Meander were ravaged, but Mazares died soon after.
He was succeeded by the Persian general Harpagus, who undertook the conquest of the Greek cities of Asia Minor. His chosen mode of attack, apparently new to the Greeks, was to build earth mounds against the city walls. His first attack was against Phocaea, demanding their surrender. The Phocaeans asked for a day to deliberate. Overnight the entire population took ship to the west and settled in Corsica. The next attack was against Teos, whose people fled to Abdera on the north Aegean coast. The other Ionian cities were reduced after a struggle, but they chose to stay and accept Persian rule. The Ionians of the islands submitted of their own accord.
The subjugated Ionians and Aeolians contributed to swell the army of Harpagus, who now proceeded against the Carian, Lycian, and the Dorian cities on the coast of Ionia. The people of Cnidus tried to dig a canal across the isthmus that joined them to the mainland, but they were unsuccessful and quietly surrendered to Harpagus. The Lycians of Xanthus gave battle to Harpagus before their city. When they were beaten back to the city they collected all their property into the citadel, which they then burnt, while they themselves sallied out, and fell fighting to a man. Harpagus seems to have concluded his campaign in 542 BC.
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