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Later writers (Just. i. 7; Polyae. vii. 8) say that Croesus was defeated. H.'s story may be due to Lydian vanity, but is probable in itself. Croesus found he had advanced too far; perhaps he had expected Egyptian co-operation at Pteria; at any rate he may well have thought that Cyrus would not attack him, with Babylon and Egypt hostile in flank and rear.


Λαβύνητος. Not the Labynetus of 74. 3, but Nabonidus, the last Babylonian king (cf. 188. 1 n.).


ἐς χρόνον ῥητόν. No doubt he had summoned his allies before, though H., dwelling on the personal element, omits to mention it.


ξεινικός, ‘so far as it was mercenary.’ The Lydian kings depended for infantry on Greeks and Carians; the Lydians were horsemen (77. 3). This disbanding may be an invention; but Croesus, not expecting to be attacked, may have wished to save the expense of an army through the winter; H. is at least consistent.

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