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Conflict Europe

Lydian–Median War

590 BCE – 585 BCE · 5 years

A five-year war between Lydia and Media in Anatolia, famously ended by a solar eclipse during the Battle of the Eclipse (Halys), which both sides interpreted as a divine omen to make peace.

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Belligerents

The main peoples, kingdoms and states involved.

  • Kingdom of Lydia (Alyattes)
  • Median Empire (Cyaxares)

Key moments

Defining events in the Lydian–Median War.

  1. 585 BC Battle of the Eclipse / Halys

Elsewhere in Europe at the time

Records whose own span overlaps this one, found by the same test the canvas draws with. The bar under each card is where it sits inside this one.

See the whole view

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1000 BCE – 400 CE

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595 BCE – 585 BCE

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3000 BCE – still standing

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Celts

Founded 1200 BCE · attested to 100 BCE

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Danube Delta

3000 BCE – still standing

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Carthaginian Empire

801 BCE – 145 BCE

And in the rest of the world

Records running through the same years, on the other side of the map.

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Image credits7 pictures from Wikimedia Commons