Histories

Thus the Halys River (river), Turkey, Asia Halys river cuts off nearly the whole of the lower part of Asia (continent)Asia from the Cyprian to the Black Sea [38,42] (sea)Euxine sea. Here is the narrowest neck of all this land; the length of the journey across for a man traveling unencumbered is five days.[*](th=s *)asi/hs ta\ ka/ta means here and elsewhere in Hdt. the western part of Asia (continent)Asia, west of the Halys River (river), Turkey, Asia Halys ( +Kizil Irmak (river), Turkey, Asia Kizil Irmak). The width from sea to sea of the au)xh/n is obviously much underestimated by Hdt., as also by later writers; the actual distance at the narrowest part is about 280 miles as the crow flies; much more than a five days' march.)

The reasons for Croesus' expedition against Cappadocia [36,38.5] (region (general)), Turkey, Asia Cappadocia were these: he desired to gain territory in addition to his own, and (these were the chief causes) he trusted the oracle and wished to avenge Astyages on Cyrus; for Cyrus, son of Cambyses, had conquered Astyages and held him in subjection.

Now Astyages, son of Cyaxares and the king of Media, was Croesus' brother-in-law: and this is how he came to be so.