1-153-405 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Croesus, last king of Lydia from c560 BC. Croesus was defeated and imprisoned by Cyrus the Great of Persia in 546 BC. Legend has it that Croesus was condemned to be burned alive, but when the fire took hold he called on Apollo for help. Rain then fell, putting the fire out. Lithograph after an image on a Greek vase.