Beyond the myth of the Golden Touch lies a powerful Anatolian kingdom
We remember King Midas for his legendary greed, but the historical Phrygians were far more than a Greek fable. From advanced metalwork to a sophisticated road system, the real story of Midas's realm reveals a complex civilization that once dominated the Anatolian peninsula.
While Greek and Roman legends portray Midas as a foolish king undone by his desire for gold, the historical Phrygian kingdom was a significant power in west-central Anatolia. Situated on a high tableland between 3,000 and 5,000 feet, the Phrygians settled the central highlands following the collapse of the Hittite Empire in the 12th century BC. Their civilization, which flourished between the 12th and 9th centuries BC, was part of a loose confederation of peoples known to Assyrian records as the 'Mushki'.
The kingdom reached a peak of power under Midas, whose rule saw the Phrygians establish a sophisticated society. This era was characterized by an educated elite capable of literacy and a thriving economy built on sheep rearing, timber, and horse breeding. The Phrygians were master craftsmen, renowned for their wood carving, metalwork, and the creation of famous carpets and embroidery. Their capital, Gordium, and the religious center at Midas City (modern Yazılıkaya) served as hubs for a society that likely operated under a feudal structure.
The era of Midas's dominance was not without conflict. The Phrygians maintained a tense relationship with the Assyrians, who managed to detach the eastern portion of the Phrygian confederation around 730 BC. This shift moved the center of power directly into Midas's hands. However, the Phrygian golden age met a violent end around 700 BC when Cimmerian invasions burned Gordium, eventually allowing the Lydians to rise to hegemony in western Anatolia. Today, much of what we know comes from archaeological excavations, such as the 1957 discovery of a monumental tomb dating to approximately 740 BCE.
Source: Great Myths and Legends: The Golden Age of King Midas
