WebSep 27, 2022 · Sardis (near modern-day Sart, Turkey) was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia founded (according to Herodotus) by the Heracleidae, the Heraclid Dynasty descended from the hero Heracles ( Hercules ). The city was famous in antiquity for its wealth, culture, and favorable position on the central trade route from the Aegean Sea …