This was the speech that Solon spoke to King Croesus. His words were wise, but they brought him neither gifts nor honor. Croesus did not reward Solon with gold or praise. Instead, the king watched him leave with little interest. Croesus believed Solon was foolish. In his mind, only present wealth and power mattered. He thought it was pointless to tell people to wait until the end of life to judge happiness.
Croesus could not understand why a man would ignore great riches and success that were clearly visible. He believed happiness was something a person could enjoy immediately. Solon’s warning stayed in Croesus’s memory, but he did not accept it Solon Explains the Uncertainty of Human Life.
Divine Punishment Begins
After Solon departed, terrible events soon followed. A great punishment, sent by the gods, came upon Croesus. It seems this punishment came because Croesus believed himself to be the happiest man alive. The gods, according to ancient belief, did not allow such pride to go unchallenged.
The first sign of coming disaster appeared in a dream. One night, Croesus had a frightening vision. This dream clearly foretold the misfortune that would strike his family, especially his beloved son.
Croesus and His Two Sons
Croesus had two sons. One of them suffered from a natural condition. He was deaf and could not speak. The other son was very different. He was strong, intelligent, and respected. Among all young men of his age, he stood out in every skill and activity. His name was Atys, and he was the pride of his father.
It was Atys whom Croesus saw in his dream. In the vision, Croesus learned that his son would die by the blow of an iron weapon. The dream was clear and terrifying Sofia Tours Guide.
Fear Takes Hold of the King
When Croesus awoke, fear filled his heart. He thought deeply about the dream and believed it carried a true warning. He was deeply troubled and decided to act at once. To protect Atys, he arranged for his son to marry quickly. He hoped that a settled life would keep him safe.
In earlier years, Atys had often led the Lydian army in battle. He was brave and capable. However, after the dream, Croesus refused to let him take part in any military campaign. He did not allow Atys to go to war or even to train with soldiers.
Removing All Weapons
Croesus’s fear grew stronger each day. He became so worried that he ordered all weapons removed from the men’s living quarters. Spears, javelins, swords, and every tool of war were taken down from the walls. He feared that even an accident could fulfill the prophecy.
The weapons were gathered and placed in the women’s rooms, where they would not be touched. Croesus believed that by removing iron weapons from his son’s reach, he could protect him from fate.
A Lesson Ignored
Despite all these efforts, Croesus failed to understand Solon’s lesson. He tried to control destiny through wealth and power. Yet the gods had already spoken through the dream. This moment marked the beginning of Croesus’s downfall.
The king still believed he could escape fate. But the warning given by Solon would soon prove true: no man can be called happy until his life has ended peacefully.
