Midas

Midas (in Greek Μίδας ) is the name of several kings of Phrygia. Some of them have mythical character; but at least one Midas is a historic personality.

Myth

The legendary Midas was said to be a son of Gordios and of Cybele and have consecrated the great sanctuary in Pessinus his mother. About his greed and stupidity, there were many ancient mythical anecdotes:

In order to be as wise as Silenus, Midas believed that it was enough to catch him. He set a trap for him by beimischte a forest spring wine, drank from the Silenos intoxicated and fell asleep. Dionysus, who missed his old teacher, had to meet the king, for whose release a wish. Midas wished that everything he touch would be gold.

The request was granted. But since it is now eating and drinking to gold, were threatened him death by hunger or thirst. That's why he asked the god to take back the gift. Dionysus told him to bathe in the river Pactolus, the then went over the gift, so that he became the richest gold river of Asia Minor.

At the Pactolus River (now Sart Çayı, Western Turkey) was the ancient city of Sardis (Greek Sardis, Turkish: Sart ), in which the fabulously wealthy Lydian king Croesus last resided.

According to another story Midas recognized in a musical contest between the ugly Pan and the well- designed Apollo, the representatives of the syrinx and the lyre, Pan the price, for which he Apollo ears two donkey ears long attracted ( cf. Bach cantata The dispute between Phoebus and pan). Midas hid this disgrace under a Phrygian cap. Only his barber discovered. Although the did not dare to betray the secret of a man, but could the urge to further predict it, do not resist, dug on the river bank a hole and called out three times, " King Midas has donkey ears! " Then he threw it again. But the reeds had listened and whispered it to others rushes forth when the wind rustled, so in the end all the world knew it. A well known fact is therefore also called truism.

From Ovid the same word have been handed down ( Metamorphoses XI, 85-145 ), which are also mentioned by Aristotle in his work policy ( Πολιτικά ).

History

The historical Midas was in the second half of the 8th century BC ruler of the Phrygian empire, which dominated at that time probably a large part of Anatolia. He is well attested in both Greek ( " Midas of Phrygia " ) as well as in Assyrian ( " Mita of Mushki " ) written sources. His earliest reference to it dates 738 BC When the Cimmerians invaded the Phrygerreich and the capital of Gordion was about to fall, Midas took his own life - after a Greek story by drinking bull's blood. Whether it was the same Midas, who was BC mentioned very often from 738 in the 8th century is unclear. That depends on the date of the destruction Gordions - 696 or 679 BC - from. In the past preferred to the former date and assumed that it was the same person. As more and more ancient historians and archaeologists tend to 679 BC, now a part of the research assumes that the Midas of the 8th century and the Midas, under whose rule Gordion fell, two different kings of the same name are.

A large tumulus near Gordion, which contained very many precious grave goods could be the grave of Midas. Some items could be typologically dated approximately to the period around 700 BC. For a piece of wood ( recent studies suggest, however, to an earlier date ) was determined as dendrochronologically Fälldatum 718 BC. In the grave the skeleton of a 60-70 year old man was found. This all fits very well to the famous historical King Midas - Gordion provided has been destroyed 696 BC. Therefore, the Tumulus - referred to as " Midas - grave " - also from the reputable research. A reconstruction of the grave chamber of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara to see in the museum.

After William Francis Ainsworth, an explorer of the 19th century, in a grave at Seyitgazi ( near Eskişehir ) is also the name of Midas was to read.