person
Croesus
Last king of Lydia (6th c. BC), proverbial for wealth; in the tradition he mounted his own pyre at Cyrus's order and was spared, 'outliving his own death.'
Reading notes
- On Tranquility of Mind §11.12 Croesus
Croesus of Lydia, proverbially rich king who mounted his own pyre and survived it, 'outliving his own death.'
- Moral Letters to Lucilius §5.47.12 Croesus
The fabulously rich last king of Lydia (6th c. BC), captured by Cyrus of Persia; the proverbial instance of a great king brought low.