#p <nat><o>king<n>Croesus<b><ac>560(2)<d>546<c>Lydia<info>Croesus was the last king of Lydia. He succeeded his father, Alyattes. Famous for his great wealth gained by trade, he instituted the first official government coinage. After capturing Ephesus and other Ionian cities, Croesus tried to limit the growing strength of Persia but was attacked and eventually captured by Cyrus the Great. According to legend, Croesus either was thrown or threw himself on a burning pyre, but he was saved by Apollo. He apparently survived to become an official at the Persian court.
#p <nat>Arab<o>king<n>Aretas IV<ac>9(1)<d>A.D. 40<info>Aretas IV ruled over the Nabatean Arabs. His daughter married Herod Antipas.