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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.
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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

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

3. Middle East c.600 BC

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

5. Lydians (Croesus) 40,000 Lydians Persians Infantry Infantry
The Persian right wing cavalry begin to roll up the Lydian left wing as chariots and archers shower it with missiles, adding to its disorder. Meanwhile, the Lydian right wing dismounts from its frightened horses and renews the attack but it too is showered with missiles and disordered. In the center, the Egyptian phalanx shoves the Persian infantry back upon the siege towers which temporarily halt the Egyptian infantry.
The Persian left wing cavalry turns to enclose the Egyptian infantry in a large ring. The Egyptian infantry offer brief, bloody resistance before surrendering.
Cyrus personally leads his right rear cavalry to envelop the left wing Lydian cavalry while the Persian left rear follow his lead and charge the Lydian right wing; the Persian camel cavalry frighten the Lydian horses which run away. Meanwhile, the Persian center infantry rush to engage the Egyptian infantry phalanx which is advancing steadily.
The Lydian dismounted cavalry fight valiantly but their lances prove unwieldy and ineffective; they rout soon after the Lydian left wing is completely outflanked and itself routs. Seeing the enemy rout, Cyrus leads his cavalry to attack the Egyptian infantry phalanx in the rear, relieving the battered Persian infantry.
Croesus sweeps around the Persian square with his great cavalry wings, creating a huge gap between them and his center. His center is held up by the vanguard Persian chariots which unexpectedly charge the Lydian chariots, drive them from the field, and smash into his infantry.
Croesus deploys his superb Lydian cavalry on the wings, his Egyptian mercenary phalanx at his center in a large block, and his chariots in front of it. He wishes to lengthen his line to further envelop the Persian army but his Egyptian mercenaries insist they fight best in such a deep formation. Cyrus deploys his infantry in a hollow square only a few men deep on each side with archers and missile towers within and some chariots in front. He keeps his cavalry and chariots on the rear wings, ready to pounce on the Lydian flanks. 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.
Lydians
(Croesus)
Lydians
(Croesus)
40,000
Lydians Persians
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Archers
Chariots Cavalry
Camelry
Chariots
Missile tower
Persians
(Cyrus the Great)
30,000
Symbol guide
Persians
(Cyrus)

6. 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

7. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2010