Identity Function: the Lydians

[timelets]

“Except for the practice of prostituting their young girls, the Lydians have nearly the same customs as the Hellenes. They were the first of all people we know of to use coinage struck from gold and silver, and the first to become retailers of goods they did not themselves produce.” --- Herodotus.

It looks like the Lydians invented the Uber business model; although they traded in goods rather than services.