STORY TIME: Croesus of Lydia & the Oracle’s Deadly Prophecy

Croesus of Lydia was the richest king in the ancient world — his wealth legendary, his confidence unshakable. But when he sought advice from the Oracle of Delphi before going to war with Persia, a single prophecy changed everything.In this Have To Know History Story Time episode, Jason Freewalt tells the dramatic rise and fall of Croesus — from golden palaces to fiery ruin:The incredible wealth of the Lydian EmpireThe fateful prophecy: “If you cross the river, a great empire will fall”How Croesus misread the oracle’s words and doomed his own kingdomThe conquest of Lydia by Cyrus the Great and the Persian EmpireThis is Have To Know History — history you just have to know.🎧 Like what you hear? Follow the show and let me know if you’d like more Story Time retellings alongside regular episodes!