Thymbra

[?], 546 BC
Strategic Context
In 559 BC, Cyrus deposes Astyages of Media and begins to consolidate his new Persian state, which he
accomplishes by 549 BC when he captures the Median capital of Ecbatana. However, he must confront a
challenge in the west from Croesus of Lydia who wishes to restore his brother-in-law Astyages to the throne.

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Croesus organizes an alliance with Egypt and Babylon, crossing the Halys River to invade Persia in 547 BC.
Cyrus marches to meet Croesus and a sharp, indecisive battle is fought at Pteria. Croesus withdraws across
the Halys into winter quarters and sends many of his mercenaries home but Cyrus does not oblige and soon

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follows Croesus. At first, Croesus does not believe the rumours of Cyrus’ march through Anatolia but must
hastily reassemble an army when the Persians approach his capital of Sardis. Though not as greatly as that
autumn, Croesus still outnumbers Cyrus when they meet on the Plain of Thymbra.

Stakes
+ A Lydian victory would put Cyrus in an
extremely vulnerable position in enemy
territory.
+ A Persian victory would force Croesus
inside the walls of his capital where he
would be besieged and his lands pillaged.

By Jonathan Webb, 2010

 Thymbra, 546 BC
Strength

 Lydians  Persians

 Croesus  Cyrus the Great

 40,000  30,000

 Well  Well

By Jonathan Webb, 2010

Middle East c.600 BC
The battlefield is flat with no major features or obstacles.

Lydians
(Croesus)

Persians
(Cyrus)
Croesus deploys his superb Lydian cavalry on to
the wings, his Egyptian mercenary phalanx at his center inarchers
The
Cyrus Persian
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while
phalanx shoves theonPersian
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camels to back
act as upon
cavalrythe
aftersiege towers which temporarily halt the
at theEgyptian infantry.
infantry rush
field, and
Egyptian to engage
the left features riders
infantry
smash into the infantry.
phalanx
his Egyptian infantry
in the rear, phalanx
relieving thewhich is advancing
battered steadily.
an officer notices
Persian infantry. that Lydian horses panic scent of them.

Lydians Lydians
(Croesus)
(Croesus)
40,000

Lydians Persians
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Archers
Chariots Cavalry
Camelry C
Chariots
Missile tower

Persians
(Cyrus the Great) Symbol guide

Persians
30,000 C (Cyrus)
 Thymbra, 546 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Lydians: Persians:

? ?
or or
? ?

Croesus and much of his army withdrew to the walls of Sardis, which Cyrus
besieged, and then stormed after two weeks. Out of honour and compassion for
Croesus, Cyrus granted him a high position in the new Persian Empire’s court. The
conquest of Lydia allowed Cyrus to turn east and invade Babylonia in 539 BC,
laying the foundations for the vast Persian Empire.

By Jonathan Webb, 2010

 The Art of Battle:
Animated Battle Maps
http://www.theartofbattle.com

By Jonathan Webb, 2010