Croesus was an extremely wealthy king who ruled in Lydia. In fact, people often said ‘as rich as Croesus’ to describe someone who was very wealthy. One day, he was visited by Solon, one of the Seven Sages of Athens, a very dignified and wise man, who was on a journey around the world. Croesus ordered Solon to be honoured with all luxuries and to be shown his vast treasure. Afterwards, when he met Solon, he expected him to be very impressed. Seeing that Solon was not impressed, Croesus tried one more time. He asked Solon, ‘You have travelled the world. Have you met someone more fortunate than me? Whom do you consider the happiest man in the world?’
Solon said, ‘O King, it is Tellus, the Athenian.’ Croesus, who had expected Solon to name him, asked, ‘How so?’ Solon replied, ‘Tellus was neither poor nor rich. All his children were good and noble. He lived long enough to see his grandchildren and died as a respected old man while fighting for his country.’ Croesus asked him for the next happiest person, and Solon named a farmer who never left his farm, was admired by his friends and loved by his family. Not willing to give up, Croesus asked him to name the third happiest, and Solon named two brothers who had served their mother until their deaths. Croesus asked, ‘Why do you consider me less worthy than these common people?’ Solon said, ‘You are rich beyond comprehension, but I have seen people as rich as you die disgraceful deaths. Nobody knows what the gods may bring tomorrow. You should count no one happy until they die.’ A displeased Croesus sent Solon away, thinking him to be a fool.
After some time, Croesus’ son suffered a hunting accident and died. After his death, Cyrus the Great, the powerful king of Persia, attacked Lydia. His soldiers captured Croesus. Cyrus ordered him to be put to death. A great pyre was built in the city square, and Croesus was placed on it. Then it was set fire to. As the flames started engulfing Croesus, he thought about how people would remember him, and all his thoughts were unpleasant. He burst into tears and cried out, ‘O Solon, you seer of the truth. O Solon! O Solon!’
An intrigued Cyrus ordered the fire to be put out and Croesus to be taken out. He asked Croesus the meaning of his cries. Croesus said, ‘I was just remembering a wise man who once told me a truth richer than all our riches.’ Cyrus asked Croesus to tell him everything. On hearing the story, Cyrus was so moved that he pardoned Croesus and became his friend for life.
