Talk:Gyges of Lydia

Vote for merging Ring of Gyges into Gyges
The Ring of Gyges myth is but one aspect of Gyges

See a well-cited article at http://www.metrum.org/gyges/tyrannos.htm about the significance of Gyges as the FIRST Greek tyrant, reason enough to keep his entry separate. He is an historical figure, while the MYTH of the ring of Gyges appears in Plato's REPUBLIC, which is both philosophical and potentially biographical, but also a work of fiction (cf. the myth of Atlantis in Plato's TIMAEUS).


 * Agree! I will put a merger request some time soon. Cretanforever (talk) 14:37, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

Inaccuracies in Gyges' period of reign
This article formerly read, "Gyges was the founder of the third or Mermnad dynasty of Lydian kings and reigned from 687 BC to 652 BC (some claim 690 BC-657 BC)." Considering the fact that Gyges slew Candaules and thus defrocked him, how is it possible that a 31 year gap was mysteriously propogated from the period of Candaules' murder until the period of Gyges ascension? Even the 'List of Kings of Lydia' article exhibits the presumed dates of Gyges' ascension to the throne. Therefore, the article now reads: "Gyges was the founder of the third or Mermnad dynasty of Lydian kings and reigned from 716 BC to 678 BC." ---Nalco 20:56, 22 January 2007 (UTC)

good
this part is interesting: "The English Patient, Count Almásy (himself a disciple of Herodotus), falls in love with a married woman (Katherine Clifton) as she reads this Gyges story aloud around a campfire. The story is harbinger of their own tragic path."


 * but it should be in a bottom section of the article titled "Gyges in modern fiction" or whatever that subtitle is that is used in other articles. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.11.74.112 (talk) 18:28, 27 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Sticking it in the middle like that is someone robotically trying not to anger people on Wikipedia who question the notability of these "Trivia" sections. FWIW, I agree with you, it's less distracting at the bottom of the page than buried mid-text of another story, as it is now.64.252.25.195 (talk) 23:29, 22 October 2008 (UTC)

Sadyates?
I can only find references to him as son of Gyges. Where is it written he was a favorite? Haiduc (talk) 03:06, 3 July 2009 (UTC)

Hebbel's play and the Ring
Friedrich Hebbel wrote a play titled "Gyges und sein Ring", well within German Romantic tradition and dated, I think, 1853, soon after 1848 Revolution and with possible references to the events of his time. I will add it here, by putting works of modern literature which mention Gyges in a chronological order.

As per a previous message above, the article Ring of Gyges should be merged with this article. Cretanforever (talk) 14:37, 13 October 2009 (UTC)

Mirsus?!
What is the source of following information: "He was also known as father of Mirsus, one of the Leaders of Darius the Great Army 521-486 BC (Persian Empire)." How Gyges could be a father of a guy living 150 years later?! Who is 'Mirsus', and who are leaders of Darius the Great army?! This looks very suspicious. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Artaxšaçā (talk • contribs) 14:47, 9 June 2010 (UTC)

Influence of the legend on Tolkien
I just removed a claim that the legend of the Ring of Gyges was a principal inspiration of Tolkien's One Ring. The passage said "Critics like Steve Bonta consider ... " -- but Bonta is the only one cited, the citation is a dead link to The New American, which is not generally considered a reliable source of literary criticism. In any event the claim appears to rest only on a passing similarity in the effects the two rings have on the wearer. It's not beyond possibility that Plato's story stuck with Tolkien and resurfaced in The Lord of the Rings, but I'd like to see a stronger source for the claim. -- Elphion (talk) 02:53, 20 June 2012 (UTC)

Confused narrative of Gyges and Candaules
Dear friends,

It looks like this whole passage in the article is completely wrong and confused,


 * "Gyges was the son of Dascylus. Dascylus was recalled from banishment in Cappadocia by the Lydian king Candaules and sent his son back to Lydia instead of himself. Civil war ensued on the death of Candaules ..."

This passage is based on the narrative of Nicolaus of Damascus, but it was garbled.

Here’s the explanation that should be incorporated into the article,

JOHN R. PORTER, Nicolaus Reads Euphiletus: A Note on the Nachleben of Lysias 1. Ancient Narrative, Volume 3 (2003), 82–87

Starts from here,


 * ”The convoluted account of Gyges’ rise to power offered by Nicolaus of Damascus (FGrH 90 F 44–47) bears relatively little resemblance to the better known narratives at Herodotus 1,8–13 and Plato, Republic ...”

According to Nicolaus, “civil war” did not actually ensue “on the death of Candaules”. Here's the more complete story, but the whole thing is rather convoluted,

https://books.google.ca/books?id=hyoZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA419

Maybe this whole passage should simply be deleted from the article. It was wrong right from the start more than 10 years ago. Y-barton (talk) 01:24, 24 January 2020 (UTC)