Histories

But no sooner had Cyrus marched away from Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis than Pactyes made the Lydians revolt from Tabalus and Cyrus; and he went down to the sea, where, as he had all the gold of Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, he hired soldiers and persuaded the men of the coast to join his undertaking. Then, marching to Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, he penned Tabalus in the acropolis and besieged him there.

When Cyrus heard of this on his journey, he said to Croesus, “What end to this business, Croesus? It seems that the Lydians will never stop making trouble for me and for themselves. It occurs to me that it may be best to make slaves of them; for it seems I have acted like one who slays the father and spares the children.

So likewise I have taken with me you who were more than a father to the Lydians, and handed the city over to the Lydians themselves; and then indeed I marvel that they revolt!” So Cyrus uttered his thought; but Croesus feared that he would destroy Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, and answered him thus:

“O King, what you say is reasonable. But do not ever yield to anger, or destroy an ancient city that is innocent both of the former and of the present offense. For the former I am responsible, and bear the punishment on my head; while Pactyes, in whose charge you left Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis, does this present wrong; let him, then, pay the penalty.