Thymbra 546 BC Strategic Context In 559 BC

Thymbra [? ], 546 BC Strategic Context In 559 BC, Cyrus deposes Astyages of Media and begins to consolidate his new Persian state, which he accomplishes by 549 BC when he captures the Median capital of Ecbatana. However, he must confront a challenge in the west from Croesus of Lydia who wishes to restore his brother-in-law Astyages to the throne. Croesus organizes an alliance with Egypt and Babylon, crossing the Halys River to invade Persia in 547 BC. Cyrus marches to meet Croesus and a sharp, indecisive battle is fought at Pteria. Croesus withdraws across the Halys into winter quarters and sends many of his mercenaries home but Cyrus does not oblige and soon follows Croesus. At first, Croesus does not believe the rumours of Cyrus’ march through Anatolia but must hastily reassemble an army when the Persians approach his capital of Sardis. Though not as greatly as that autumn, Croesus still outnumbers Cyrus when they meet on the Plain of Thymbra. Stakes + A Lydian victory would put Cyrus in an extremely vulnerable position in enemy territory. + A Persian victory would force Croesus inside the walls of his capital where he would be besieged and his lands pillaged. By Jonathan Webb, 2010

Thymbra, 546 BC Strength §Lydians §Persians §Croesus §Cyrus the Great § 40, 000 § 30, 000 §Well By Jonathan Webb, 2010

Middle East c. 600 BC

The battlefield is flat with no major features or obstacles. Lydians (Croesus) Persians (Cyrus)

Croesus deploys his superb Lydian cavalry on the wings, histhe Egyptian mercenary phalanx at wing his center in aarchers large and hisitchariots in front of it. adding He wishes to lengthen his The Persian right wing cavalry begin tofight rollcavalry up Lydian left wing as and shower missiles, tosoon its disorder. Cyrus personally leads his right rear to with envelop the leftchariots Lydian while the Persian left rear follow his Croesus The Lydian Persian sweeps dismounted left wing around cavalry the Persian turns to valiantly square enclose butthe his their Egyptian great lances cavalry infantry prove wings, unwieldy in cavalry ablock, creating large and ring. ineffective; a with huge The gap Egyptian they between rout infantry them after offer and line to further envelop the Persian army but his Egyptian mercenaries insist they fight best inrenews such a deep formation. Cyrus deploys his infantrywith in a missiles hollow square only a few men Meanwhile, the Lydian right wing dismounts from its frightened horses and the attack but it too is showered and disordered. lead and the Lydian right wing; the Persian camel frighten the Lydian horses which away. Meanwhile, deep center. on eachcharge side with archers and missile towers within and some chariots initself front. cavalry He keeps his cavalry and chariots on the rear wings, readyrun to pounce on the Lydian flanks. his the brief, Lydian bloody His left resistance center wing is iscompletely before held upsurrendering. by outflanked the vanguard and Persian routs. chariots Seeing which the unexpectedly enemy rout, charge Cyrus leads the Lydian his cavalry chariots, to In the center, the Egyptian phalanx shoves the Persian infantry back upon the siege towers which temporarily halt the Egyptian infantry. Cyrus personally leads the right rear while the left features riders on baggage camels to act as cavalry after an officer notices that Lydian horses panic at the scent of them. the Persian centerthe infantry to engage the Egyptian infantry which is advancing drive attack them the Egyptian from infantry field, rush and phalanx smash ininto the his rear, infantry. relieving thephalanx battered Persian infantry. steadily. Lydians (Croesus) 40, 000 Lydians (Croesus) Lydians Persians Infantry Cavalry Archers Chariots Cavalry Camelry Chariots Missile tower Persians (Cyrus the Great) 30, 000 Symbol guide Persians (Cyrus)

Thymbra, 546 BC Casualties & Aftermath Lydians: Persians: ? ? or or ? ? Croesus and much of his army withdrew to the walls of Sardis, which Cyrus besieged, and then stormed after two weeks. Out of honour and compassion for Croesus, Cyrus granted him a high position in the new Persian Empire’s court. The conquest of Lydia allowed Cyrus to turn east and invade Babylonia in 539 BC, laying the foundations for the vast Persian Empire. By Jonathan Webb, 2010

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http: //www. theartofbattle. com By Jonathan Webb, 2010