Histories

This he decided, and this he did immediately; he marched his army into Lydia [27.516,38.683] (region (general)), Turkey, Asia Lydia and so came himself to bring the news of it to Croesus. All had turned out contrary to Croesus' expectation, and he was in a great quandary; nevertheless, he led out the Lydians to battle.

Now at this time there was no nation in Asia (continent)Asia more valiant or warlike than the Lydian. It was their custom to fight on horseback, carrying long spears, and they were skillful at managing horses.

So the armies met in the plain, wide and bare, that is before the city of Sardis [28.0167,38.475] (Perseus) Sardis: the Hyllus and other rivers flow across it and run violently together into the greatest of them, which is called Hermus (this flows from the mountain sacred to the Mother Dindymene [*](Identified with the Phrygian and Lydian goddess Cybele.) and empties into the sea near the city of Foca [26.75,38.666] (inhabited place), Izmir Ili, Ege kiyilari, Turkey, AsiaPhocaea).

When Cyrus saw the Lydians maneuvering their battle-lines here, he was afraid of their cavalry, and therefore at the urging of one Harpagus, a Mede, he did as I shall describe. Assembling all the camels that followed his army bearing food and baggage, he took off their burdens and mounted men upon them equipped like cavalrymen; having equipped them, he ordered them to advance before his army against Croesus' cavalry; he directed the infantry to follow the camels, and placed all his cavalry behind the infantry.