The Ancient Greek historian Herodotus is widely regarded as the Father of History and is celebrated for his skill as a storyteller, often weaving engaging anecdotes into his historical narratives. He wrote extensively about the famed king of Lydia, Croesus, the man renowned for his unparalleled wealth.

Yet before telling Croesus’ story, the Greek historian traced the lineage of his ancestors and recounted the unusual events that brought them to the throne of Lydia.

One of these ancestors was the former king of Lydia at Sardis, Candaules, a descendant of Alcaeus, son of Heracles. His father was Myrsus, and Candaules was the last of the Heraclids to reign in Sardis.

Candaules was famously proud of his wife’s beauty. The king had a peculiar habit of showing his queen to his bodyguards. Herodotus, in Histories 1.8, describes the situation:

“This Candaules, of whom I speak, had become passionately in love with his own wife; and having become so, he deemed that his wife was far fairer than all other women. Believing this, he confided to Gyges, the son of Daskylos (for he of all his spearmen was the most pleasing to him), not only the more important affairs of state but also the beauty of his wife, praising it without measure. And after no long time, since it was destined that evil should befall Candaules, he said to Gyges as follows:

‘Gyges, I think you do not believe me when I tell you of my wife’s beauty, for men’s ears are less apt to believe than their eyes. Therefore, contrive some means by which you may look upon her naked.’

‘Master, what word of unwisdom is this that you speak, bidding me to look upon my mistress naked? When a woman takes off her tunic, she also takes off her modesty. Moreover, men of old discovered these truths, from which we ought to learn wisdom; one of these is that each man should look upon his own. I indeed believe that she is the fairest of all women, but I entreat you not to ask me to do what is unlawful.’”

Although Gyges refused to participate in such a lewd act, Candaules promised that the queen would not see him. He explained his plan, assuring Gyges that he would be hidden while witnessing the queen without her knowledge. In his Histories, Herodotus further writes from the perspective of Candaules:

“I will hide you behind the open door of our bedroom. My wife will follow me to bed. Near the door is a chair—she will place her clothes on it as she removes them, one by one. You will be able to watch her without difficulty. Then, as she walks away from the chair toward the bed with her back to you, slip quietly out the door—and make sure she does not catch you.”

Unable to resist the voyeuristic challenge set by the king, Herodotus explains, Gyges reluctantly agreed. At bedtime, Candaules led him to the room. The queen arrived as planned, and Gyges watched her remove her clothes and place them on the chair. When she turned her back to go to bed, he slipped quietly out. Yet he was apparently neither fast nor quiet enough, for the queen noticed him.