After two long years of deep mourning for his son, Croesus slowly returned his attention to the world around him. At this time, important news arrived from beyond his borders. He learned that Cyrus, the son of Cambyses, had overthrown Astyages, the son of Cyaxares, and destroyed the Median Empire. This victory made the Persians stronger and more confident each day.
Croesus understood at once that this change was dangerous. Persia was growing into a powerful force, and if nothing was done, it could soon threaten Lydia itself. He began to wonder whether it was possible to stop the Persians before their power became too great The Return to Sardis.
Croesus Decides to Consult the Oracles
Before taking any military action, Croesus decided to seek guidance from the gods. He believed that the will of the divine powers should be known before any great decision. Therefore, he resolved to test the most famous oracles of the ancient world.
His plan was careful and thoughtful. First, he wanted to see which oracles truly spoke with divine knowledge. Only after this test would he ask whether he should attack Persia.
Messengers Sent Across the Ancient World
Croesus sent messengers in many directions. Some traveled to Delphi, the most famous oracle in Greece. Others went to Abae in Phocis and to Dodona, known for its sacred oak tree. He also sent envoys to the oracle of Amphiaraus, to Trophonius, and to Branchidae in Milesia Daily Tours Sofia.
Beyond Greece, Croesus sent another group to Libya, to consult the oracle of Ammon, which was also widely respected. In total, these were the most important oracles known in the ancient world.
A Clever Test for the Oracles
Croesus gave all the messengers the same strict instructions. From the moment they left Sardis, they were to count the days carefully. On the hundredth day, they were to enter the oracle and ask one question only.
They were to ask: “What is Croesus, son of Alyattes, king of Lydia, doing at this very moment?”
The messengers were told to write down every word of the response and bring it back exactly as spoken. In this way, Croesus believed he could learn which oracle truly possessed divine knowledge.
The Remarkable Answer from Delphi
Most of the answers given by the oracles have been lost to history. Only the reply from Delphi remains recorded. This answer was so extraordinary that it amazed everyone who heard it.
The moment the Lydian messengers entered the sanctuary—before they had even spoken—the Pythia, the priestess of Apollo, began to speak in poetic verse. Her words described exactly what Croesus was doing far away in Lydia.
The Oracle’s Prophecy in Verse
The Pythia declared:
She could count the sands and measure the sea.
She could hear the silent and understand the speech of the dumb.
She described the smell of a tortoise and a lamb,
boiling together in a bronze pot,
with a bronze lid covering it.
At that very moment, Croesus was indeed cooking a tortoise and a lamb together in a bronze vessel, covered with a bronze lid. No human could have known this.
Croesus Recognizes Divine Power
When Croesus heard the words from Delphi, he was filled with awe. He knew at once that this oracle truly spoke with the voice of the gods. This answer convinced him that Apollo at Delphi possessed real divine knowledge.
Having found a trustworthy oracle, Croesus prepared to send messengers again—this time not to test the god, but to ask the most important question of all: whether he should go to war against the Persians.
Thus, the stage was set for events that would soon change the fate of Lydia forever.
