t time had Pisistratus at their head, and with
the Lacedaemonians, who were indisputably the two most powerful states of
Greece.

A certain Lydian, much esteemed for his prudence, gave Croesus, on this
occasion, very judicious advice.(1108) "O prince, (says he to him,) why do
you think of turning your arms against such a people as the Persians, who,
being born in a wild, rugged country, are inured from their infancy to
every kind of hardship and fatigue, who, being coarsely clad, and coarsely
fed, can content themselves with bread and water; who are absolute
strangers to all the delicacies and conveniencies of life; who, in a word,
have nothing to lose if you conquer them, and every thing to gain if they
conquer you; and whom it would be difficult to drive out of our country,
if they should once come to taste the sweets and advantages of it? So far
therefore from thinking of beginning a war against them, it is my opinion
we ought to thank the gods that they have never put it into the heads of
the Persians to come and attack the Lydians." But Croesus had taken his
resolution and would not be diverted from it.

What remains of the history of Croesus will be found in that of Cyrus,
which I am now going to begin.

MAPS.

[Map: The World.]

Plate I, part A.

[Map: The World.]

Plate I, part B.

[Map: Egypt with Lybia.]

Plate II, part A.

[Map: Egypt with Lybia.]

Plate II, part B.

[Map: The Carthaginian Empire in Africa.]

Plate III, part A.

[Map: The Carthaginian Empire in Africa.]

Plate III, part B.

[Map: The Carthaginian Empire in Africa.]

Plate III, part C.

[Map: The Expedition of Hannibal.]

Plate IV, part A.

[Map: The Expedition of Hannibal.]

Plate IV, part B.

[Map: The Expedition of Hannibal.]

Plate IV, part B.

[Map: The Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes and Persians.]

Plate V, part A.

[Map: The Assyrians, Babyl