The exact dates of the Lydian conquest are unknown, but it must have taken place between Cyrus's overthrow of the Median kingdom (550 BCE) and his conquest of Babylon (539 BCE).

It was common in the past to give 547 BCE as the year of the conquest due to some interpretations of the Nabonidus Chronicle, but this position is currently not much held.

The Lydians first attack the Achaemenid Empire's city of Pteria in Cappadocia.

(Herodotus mentions Pteria as near Sinop on the Black Sea.)

Croesus besieges and captures the city, enslaving its inhabitants.

Meanwhile, the Persians invite the citizens of Ionia who are part of the Lydian kingdom to revolt against their ruler.

The offer is rebuffed, and thus Cyrus levies an army and marches against the Lydians, increasing his numbers while passing through nations in his way.

The Battle of Pteria is effectively a stalemate, with both sides suffering heavy casualties by nightfall.

Croesus retreats to Sardis the following morning.

Cyrus captures Cilicia to control supply routes to the Lydian kingdom.