In the mid - seventh century B.C.E., nomadic Cimmerians came from the Black Sea in the north to plunder Asia Minor. Later, about 550 B.C.E., there arose King Croesus of Lydia, a powerful ruler famed for his enormous wealth.
पर्शियन साम्राज्याच्या परिसीमा वाढवताना सायरस राजाने आयोनियन शहरांसोबत एफिससवर देखील वर्चस्व मिळवले.