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Burning of Sardis

Type Event Region Lydia Time -498

In 498 BCE Ionian rebels with Athenian and Eretrian reinforcements captured and burned Sardis, seat of the Persian satrapy of Lydia, shocking the Per…

Timeline

  1. -498Sardis · LydiaThe Ionian league under Aristagoras, supported by five warships from Athens and Eretria, advanced overland from Ephesus and, taking advantage of Sardis's weak defenses, entered the Lydian capital, occupying and setting fire to the city.
  2. -498Sardis · LydiaThe fire spread to the temple of Lydia's chief goddess (identified with the Persian Cybeles), regarded as a grave offense against Persian religion and authority. The allied forces then retreated toward the coast, where they were counterattacked by the Persians at Ephesus.

Sources