Croesus

kre'sus (560 B. C.), the last king of Lydia in Asia Minor. He extended the limits of his father's kingdom. From tribute mines and the sands of a local mountain stream, the Pactolus, he accumulated so much gold that "as rich as Croesus" became a proverbial expression. In his prosperity he deemed himself the happiest of mortals; but Solon, the wise Greek, denied him the title, saying no man could be sure of happiness during his lifetime. Surely enough, misfortune overtook him. His favorite son was killed, and Cyrus, the Persian, took away his wealth and his dominion.