Both Herodotus (1.76–1.86) and Xenophon (Cyropaedia 2.1.5–4.2.33) relate that the Medo-Persian army subjugated the Lydian kingdom and its king, Croesus, early in the career of Cyrus the Great. Both authors recount that after he lost his kingdom, Croesus became an advisor to Cyrus, who therefore would have learned about the advantage of coinage at this time, if not well before. Since all sources describe Cyrus as an astute statesman and empire-builder, the advantages of a common currency and coinage