Gyges of Lydia facts for kids

A rare depiction of the legend of Gyges finding the magic ring, Ferrara, 16th century

Gyges (ruled around 680-644 BC) was a powerful king of Lydia. He started the Mermnad dynasty. Gyges was the first Lydian king known for trying to build a large empire. He ruled for 38 years, according to the historian Herodotus.

Gyges' Life and Rule

Not much is known about where Gyges came from. The Greek historian Herodotus said he was the son of a man named Dascylus.

How Gyges Became King

History suggests that Gyges became king of Lydia by taking over from the previous king, Candaules. Candaules was from the Heraclid dynasty. Gyges got help from a prince named Arselis from Mylasa. This shows that Gyges' family, the Mermnads, might have had good friends among the Carians. These friends helped him with armed support against Candaules.

Gyges became king during a difficult time. A nomadic group called the Cimmerians had invaded Western Asia. Around 675 BC, they had destroyed the powerful kingdom of Phrygia. This created a "power vacuum," meaning there was no strong ruler in the area.

After Gyges took the throne, the oracle of the god Apollo at Delphi said his rule was rightful. To thank the oracle, Gyges gave many valuable gifts. These gifts included gold and silver. Herodotus saw these gifts later and called them the Gygadas. He noted that much of the silver at Delphi came from Gyges.

Expanding Lydia's Power

Gyges used the chance to make Lydia a strong military power. He attacked the Ionian Greek cities of Miletus, Smyrna, and Colophon. He could not conquer Miletus, so he made peace with them. Miletus was then allowed to set up colonies along the coast controlled by Lydia.

Gyges also tried to take Smyrna, but its people fought back successfully. After this, Lydia and Smyrna became friends. Lydians used Smyrna's port for trade. Lydian craftspeople even worked in Smyrna. These close ties lasted until Gyges' great-grandson Alyattes conquered Smyrna around 600 BC. Gyges had more success with Colophon, taking control of its lower city. But Colophon soon became independent again.

Alliances with Neighbors

To the south, Gyges kept his alliances with the rulers of various Carians city-states. These alliances meant Lydian and Carian rulers supported each other. Later Lydian kings continued these ties, even through marriages. These connections helped Lydia control Caria through friendly rulers in fortified towns like Mylasa. Lydians also shared cultural ties with the Carians. For example, they shared a temple to the god Zeus in Mylasa.

Gyges had better relations with the Aeolian Greek city of Cyme. Cyme was already friends with Lydia before Gyges became king. He also had good ties with the Ionian Greek city of Ephesus. The ruler of Ephesus, Melas the Elder, married one of Gyges' daughters. These friendships continued with later Lydian kings.

Gyges tablet, British Museum

Battles with the Cimmerians

In 665 BC, Gyges faced a war with the Cimmerians. Around this time, ancient Assyrian records say Gyges had a dream. In the dream, the Assyrian god Aššur told him to ask for help from King Ashurbanipal of Assyria. Gyges sent messengers to the Neo-Assyrian capital, Nineveh. He offered gifts but refused to become a "vassal" (a ruler who owes loyalty and tribute to a more powerful king).

Gyges defeated the Cimmerians without Assyrian help. He sent captured Cimmerian soldiers to Nineveh.

New Lands and Trade

After pushing back the Cimmerians, Gyges took advantage of the weak Phrygian kingdom. He conquered the Troad region in northern Anatolia easily. He settled Lydian people there. He also created a hunting area in Cyzicus. Under Lydian rule, the city of Ilium became an important center. From here, Lydians controlled the Aegean coast of the Troad. They also controlled the coast of the Hellespont, where cities like Abydos were located. Lydian rulers also benefited from the gold mines of Astyra.

Gyges had given Miletus the right to set up colonies in Lydian-controlled lands. So, Greek settlers from Miletus founded the colony of Abydus.

Helping Egypt's King

Gyges' alliances with Carian rulers allowed him to hire Carian and Ionian Greek soldiers. He sent these soldiers to help the Egyptian king Psamtik I of Sais. This happened around 662 BC. With this help, Psamtik I united Egypt under his rule. He defeated other smaller kings who had been sharing power in Lower Egypt.

Some people thought this was an alliance against Assyria. However, Psamtik I was only fighting other Egyptian rulers, not Assyria. Assyria had even helped Psamtik I become powerful. Gyges' help to Psamtik I was not seen as hostile by Assyria. Assyrians were mainly annoyed that Gyges acted on his own, without their approval.

Gyges helped Psamtik I until 658 BC. At that time, Gyges faced another Cimmerian invasion. The Cimmerians invaded Lydia again in 657 BC. Gyges survived this attack. Assyrian records called this a "bad omen" for Lydia.

Gyges' Death

In 644 BC, Lydia faced a third attack by the Cimmerians. This time, their king Lygdamis led them. The Lydians were defeated, and their capital, Sardis, was attacked. Gyges was killed in this battle. Assyrian records blamed his death on his decision to act independently from Assyria. His son Ardys became king after him. Ardys continued talking with Assyria and also had to fight the Cimmerians.

Gyges' Lasting Impact

Gyges' name was later used on coins by his great-grandson Alyattes. The coins read Kukalim, meaning "I am of Kukas (Gyges)." This showed that Alyattes belonged to Gyges' royal family.

Stories and Legends About Gyges

Like many ancient kings, Gyges became part of myths and legends. These stories might have come from religious beliefs or old traditions.

Different Stories of How Gyges Became King

Ancient writers told different versions of how Gyges took power. Most stories agree that Gyges became king after killing King Candaules and marrying Candaules' wife.

The main source for Gyges' story is Herodotus. His account might have come from an older poet named Archilochus.

In Plato's famous book Republic, Gyges was a shepherd. He found a magic ring that made him invisible. Using this ring, he killed the king and won the queen's love.

Another writer, Nicolaus of Damascus, told a different story. It involved a curse on an old king's family. In this version, Gyges was a young man who came to Lydia. The king noticed his great skills and made him part of the royal guards. Gyges became a favorite of King Candaules. He was sent to bring Tudo, a princess the king wanted to marry. Gyges fell in love with Tudo. He later killed Candaules at night and took the throne.

The Magic Ring of Gyges

In The Republic, a character named Glaucon tells the story of the Ring of Gyges to Socrates. He uses it to discuss human nature. Some scholars think Plato based this story on an older myth. Others believe Plato made it up, using parts of Herodotus's story.

The story says Gyges was a shepherd in Lydia. One day, an earthquake opened a new cave. Inside, Gyges found a gold ring on the finger of a dead giant king. He took the ring. He soon found out it made him invisible when he wore it. The next time he went to the palace, he put on the ring. He killed the king, married the queen, and took control.

Glaucon argues that people are only good because they have to be. If they had unlimited power, like with the ring, they would do whatever they wanted. He says, "If there were two such magic rings, and the good person put on one and the bad person the other, no one would stay good." Socrates, however, believes a truly good person would not be tempted by the ring's power.

Many Bible scholars believe Gyges of Lydia might be the Biblical figure Gog, ruler of Magog. Gog is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel and the Book of Revelation.

Gyges in Modern Works

Gyges' story has inspired many modern works:

• Théophile Gautier wrote a story called "Le roi Candaule" (1844).
• "Tsar Kandavl" or "Le Roi Candaule" is a famous ballet. It was first performed in Russia in 1868.
• "Le Roi Candaule" is also the name of a comedy by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy.
• German playwright Friedrich Hebbel wrote a tragedy in 1856 called Gyges und sein Ring ("Gyges and his Ring").
• In the novel The English Patient and its film, the Gyges story is told around a campfire.
• In the novel Hyperion by Dan Simmons, one of the evil characters is named Gyges.
• A chapter in Robertson Davies' novel Fifth Business is called "Gyges and King Candaules."
• In 1990, Frederic Raphael published The Hidden I, A Myth Revised, a new telling of the story.