Gordion: The Real History Behind the Myth of King Midas
In short: Archaeologists are uncovering new secrets at Gordion, the ancient capital of a powerful Iron Age kingdom. This presentation details recent fieldwork at the site, including fresh insights into the famous Midas Mound and newly detected defensive walls.
Situated about 100 kilometers southwest of Ankara, Gordion served as a major Near Eastern archaeological site for nearly 4,000 years. During the early first millennium BCE, it functioned as the royal seat for a kingdom identified as Phrygia by the Greeks and as Mushki by the Assyrian empire.
While King Midas is best remembered for the legend of his golden touch and donkey ears, he was a genuine historical leader. The massive burial structure known as Tumulus MM is believed to be among his earliest construction efforts. Current research, supported by the Penn Museum, utilizes remote sensing technology to map previously unknown fortifications surrounding the city.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Recent Excavations at Gordion, Royal City of Midas
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