The Twitter Herodotus

1.81 Croesus sent messengers to ask his allies to send help at once, since Sardis was under siege.

1.82 Among those to whom Croesus sent were the Spartans, who had recently fought Argos over the territory of Thyreae. (The Spartans won.)

1.83 The Spartans prepared to help Croesus, but before they could launch their ships word came that Sardis had fallen & Croesus was captive.

1.84 Sardis was taken after one of Cyrus' soldiers discovered where the city's seemingly impregnable citadel could be climbed.

1.85 Croesus was almost killed, but he was saved by his previously dumb son's 1st words--spoken, as an oracle had warned, on a luckless day.

1.86 Still, Cyrus meant to burn him. Facing death, Croesus finally got Solon's wisdom & told Cyrus, who changed his mind re. the immolation.

1.87 Some say Apollo doused the fire when Cyrus' men couldn't. Cyrus then asked Croesus why he'd invaded: Croesus blamed the Delphic oracle.

1.88 Cyrus freed Croesus & gazed at him. After a time Croesus advised him to stop his men from plundering Sardis as it was now his property.

1.89 Cyrus dismissed his peeps & asked Croesus what he suggested be done re. the pillagers. Croesus advised he confiscate pilfered property.

1.90 Cyrus was pleased with Croesus' words & bid him name a reward. Croesus wanted to send to Delphi so as to rebuke Apollo for his oracle.