Sapphire Mythology: A Guide For King Croesus And The Oracles
The Story Of King Croesus
There once lived a very wealthy king of a great empire called the Lydian empire, near to Babylonia and Persia. The king was a man named Croesus and he was so wealthy that the phrase “as rich as Croesus” survives thousands of years after his death. Croesus was a man of fantastic excess and loved the finer things that his vast fortune could afford him.
He also had set his eyes on conquering the nearby Persian empire and their new king, Cyrus.
Before undertaking the campaign, Croesus sent gold and treasure and beautiful gifts to the Oracle of Delphi, trying to win favor with the gods. He did not realize that the gods were not pleased with such extravagances, themselves preferring humanity to be modest and noble. Hoping for a good result in the war, he received the following reply from the Oracle: “If you march to battle, the Persians, a great empire shall be destroyed”.
He also had set his eyes on conquering the nearby Persian empire and their new king, Cyrus.
Before undertaking the campaign, Croesus sent gold and treasure and beautiful gifts to the Oracle of Delphi, trying to win favor with the gods. He did not realize that the gods were not pleased with such extravagances, themselves preferring humanity to be modest and noble. Hoping for a good result in the war, he received the following reply from the Oracle: “If you march to battle, the Persians, a great empire shall be destroyed”.
Full of confidence, he purchased a vast mercenary army of around one hundred thousand men, including his feared mounted cavalry, fantastic horsemen and warriors. Meeting the smaller Persian army, they had an inconclusive battle and as winter approached, Croesus withdrew and disbanded his army, as was the custom for the time period. Marching back to his capital, he had no idea that the Persian army had not withdrawn but instead, had followed him all the way back to his capital, where he now found himself besieged!
Still confident in his victory, he set up his army for a mighty showdown with the Persians, whom they outnumbered by two to one! His horsemen charged towards the ranks of the Persians but suddenly bolted and routed when the Persian army brought out their secret weapon, camels.
The horses, absolutely terrified of the spitting, smelly camels ran in all directions, throwing the whole attack into disarray. The scattered Lydians were no match for the disciplined Persian army and that day, Croesus realized that the “great empire” that was destroyed was to be his own.
A lesson in humility from the Oracle and the gods!
Still confident in his victory, he set up his army for a mighty showdown with the Persians, whom they outnumbered by two to one! His horsemen charged towards the ranks of the Persians but suddenly bolted and routed when the Persian army brought out their secret weapon, camels.
The horses, absolutely terrified of the spitting, smelly camels ran in all directions, throwing the whole attack into disarray. The scattered Lydians were no match for the disciplined Persian army and that day, Croesus realized that the “great empire” that was destroyed was to be his own.
A lesson in humility from the Oracle and the gods!
How Did The Oracle Know?
To help access the Oracle's prophecy, visitors to the Oracle would wear jewelry made from sapphire to help open their “third eye” and commune with the spirits!
Sapphire has been used by royalty, clergy, adventurers and healers throughout the ages. The etymology of the word sapphire is derived from the Sanskrit word “Sani” (Saturn) and “Priyah” (precious), or “Sacred to Saturn”. The Persians believed that the whole of the world rested upon a giant rock of sapphire and it was the reflection which gave us our blue skies!
For the ancient Egyptians, sapphire had healing properties as well. They used it to treat infections of the eye. The Egyptians also carved amulets out of sapphire into the shape of the Eye of Horus, as was mentioned in The Book Of The Dead, the ancient Egyptian book of spells to guide one’s journey into the afterlife!
Royalty, particularly the British royal family, have long been wearing sapphire themselves. The Crown Jewels are adorned with the Stuart Sapphire. Today they are on display in the Tower of London. More recently, Prince Charles gave Princess Diana a sapphire engagement ring. Their son Prince William gifted it to his now-wife Kate Middleton. In 2017, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the 65th year of her reign, her “Sapphire Jubilee”.
In the modern day and age, we use sapphire to help us see things as well. Sapphire glass is becoming a popular choice for cameras and even some smartphones. It seems like we are going to be keeping sapphire close to us to guide us well into the future.
If you feel like continuing the tradition of wearing sapphire, you can order your own made to order piece from our store. We stock ethically sourced sapphires from Nigeria, Madagascar, Montana and Thailand. Who knows, it may prove to be a helpful guide!
For the ancient Egyptians, sapphire had healing properties as well. They used it to treat infections of the eye. The Egyptians also carved amulets out of sapphire into the shape of the Eye of Horus, as was mentioned in The Book Of The Dead, the ancient Egyptian book of spells to guide one’s journey into the afterlife!
Royalty, particularly the British royal family, have long been wearing sapphire themselves. The Crown Jewels are adorned with the Stuart Sapphire. Today they are on display in the Tower of London. More recently, Prince Charles gave Princess Diana a sapphire engagement ring. Their son Prince William gifted it to his now-wife Kate Middleton. In 2017, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated the 65th year of her reign, her “Sapphire Jubilee”.
In the modern day and age, we use sapphire to help us see things as well. Sapphire glass is becoming a popular choice for cameras and even some smartphones. It seems like we are going to be keeping sapphire close to us to guide us well into the future.
If you feel like continuing the tradition of wearing sapphire, you can order your own made to order piece from our store. We stock ethically sourced sapphires from Nigeria, Madagascar, Montana and Thailand. Who knows, it may prove to be a helpful guide!
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