CRÆSUS, the fifth and last king of Lydia, 544 B. C. He made the Greeks of Asia tributary; subdued the Phrygians, Myrians, Paphlagonians, Thracians, and Carians; amassed together immense riches; and became one of the most powerful and magnificent princes in the world. He drew the learned to his court, and took a pleasure in conversing with them. One day as he was enumerating his riches, and magnifying the felicity of his reign, Solon gave a check to his vanity, by saying, that we ought to consider no man happy before his death. Cræsus ridiculed this reflection, but soon he himself experienced its truth: for, being defeated by Cyrus, he shut himself up in Sardis, the capital of his empire. The city was taken by assault; and, as a Persian soldier was going to kill Cræsus, that prince's only surviving son, who had hitherto been dumb, terrified at his danger, cried, Stop, soldier, and lay not thy hand on Cræsus. Cræsus was then conducted to Cyrus, who caused him to be laid on a funeral pile; when, reflecting on Solon's words, he cried, O Solon, Solon! Cyrus desired to know what he meant; and, being told the reason of this exclamation, was so moved, that he recalled his sentence, and treated him with great respect.