LYDIA (anc. geogr.), the same with MÆONIA; though some reckoned this last only a part, by the name of Lydia Superior, (Callimachus, Pausanias); inhabited by the people called Mæones, (Strabo); Meones, (Homer, Dionysius Periegetes); the Lower Lydia, or that towards the sea-coast, being inhabited by the Lydi. Thus the case anciently stood; though not so constantly, but that those towards the Lower Lydia were called Meones; and Lydi, those towards the Higher. Afterwards, the colony of the Ionians prevailing, and the name Meones becoming gradually to cease, the lower part came to be called Ionia, the name Lydia being appropriated to the higher. This latter had Ionia on the west, Phrygia on the east, Mylia to the north, and Caria to the south. In Cræsus's time, the kingdom of Lydia extended from the Halys on the east, to the Egean sea on the west side. Lydi, the people, descendants of Lud, the son of Shem. They were the first who coined gold and silver, (Herdotus); were called Mali, from their vicious character, (Athenæus); prostituted their daughters, (Herdotus, Horace); anciently a brave people, all excellent horsemen, (idem); Lydius, the epithet. Lydius mos, denotes effeminacy.