e that even under these disadvantageous
circumstances he might in fair fight have been victorious, for the
Lydian cavalry were at this time excellent, and decidedly superior
to the Persian. But Cyrus, aware of their merits, had recourse to
stratagem, and by forming his camels in front, so frightened the Lydian
horses that they fled from the field. The riders dismounted and fought
on foot, but their gallantry was unavailing. After a prolonged and
bloody combat the Lydian army was defeated, and forced to take refuge
behind the walls of the capital.

Croesus now in hot haste sent off fresh messengers to his allies,
begging them to come at once to his assistance. He had still a good hope
of maintaining himself till their arrival, for his city was defended
by walls, and was regarded by the natives as impregnable. An attempt to
storm the defences failed; and the siege must have been turned into
a blockade but for an accidental discovery. A Persian soldier had
approached to reconnoitre the citadel on the side where it was strongest
by nature, and therefore guarded with least care, when he observed one
of the garrison descend the rock after his helmet, which had fallen from
his head, pick it up, and return with it. Being an expert climber, he
attempted the track thus pointed out to him, and succeeded in reaching
the summit. Several of his comrades followed in his steps; the citadel
was surprised, and the town taken and plundered.

Thus fell the greatest city of Asia Minor after a siege of fourteen
days. The Lydian monarch, it is said, narrowly escaped with his life
from the confusion of the sack; but, being fortunately recognized
in time, was made prisoner, and brought before Cyrus. Cyrus at first
treated him with some harshness, but soon relented, and, with that
clemency which was a common characteristic of the earlier Persian kings,
assigned him a territory for his maintenance, and gave him an honorable
position at Court, where he passed at least thirty years, in high favor,
first with Cyrus, and then with Cambyses. Lydia itself was absorbed at
once into the Persian Empire, together with most of its dependencies,
which submitted as soon as the fall of Sardis was known. There still,
however, remained a certain amount of subjugation to be effected. The
Greeks of the coast, who had offended the Great King by their refusal of
his overtures, were not to be allowed to pass quietly into the condition
of tributaries; and there were