I did like the exploration of Croesus having his wealth taken away and reduced to being a slave, how he was forced to see the harsh realities of life from the side of those he had previously taken for granted. The first half of the book deals with Croesus as king and how he deals with ultimate power and the relationships he builds with his family, subjects and slaves alike. Although some customs seem strange to us now, we're fully on board with them while immersed in the story fo Croesus.

Croesus is master of his own destiny and it is only his thoughtless behavior that will bring about his downfall.

This book is both a look at the history of the final days of and empire, and a small story about one man.

and made offerings to Greek shrines, especially *Delphi; anecdotes attest his friendliness to Greek visitors and his wealth. Leach puts these words in the mouth of a 5th Century BC ruler, yet I’m not sure I’ve read a more apposite phrase to sum up what’s wrong with modern society. Like any good philosopher, Leach doesn’t answer the big questions he asks, but his exploration and hints are the more interesting as a result. This deeply wise novel of what it means to be human is perfect for readers of Mary Renault and David Malouf.Reading the story encourages a great deal of self-reflection and analysis which may leave the reader a little wiser by the end of the book. His subsequent fate soon became the theme of legend: he is cast or casts himself on a pyre, but is miraculously saved by Apollo and translated to the land of the *Hyperboreans or becomes the friend and counsellor of Cyrus. For example, I had no idea that the conversation with Solon was reputed to have happened, having been recorded by Herodutus, or that the Lydians are credited with the invention of coinage. In the publicity for The last King of Lydia comparisons are made with among other authors, Mary Renault, who is still considered the best of historical novelists focussing on ancient Greece.

I cringed with second-hand embarrassment when Croesus, after taking a look at the army he had assembled, turned to his general and said something on the lines of "What now?

It is a beautiful comparison between someone who believes he is all powerful coming up against a true giant of a man who will make his mark on history. The prose is quite simple but there are some really beautiful and poetic descriptions of life that lift it above the ordinary. He comes to realize that his power has limits because "It's a difficult thing, having one's happiness depend on those one cannot control" -- like his son's guaranteed well-being.