King Midas of Phrygia and the Greeks

Abstract

Herodotus records that King Midas of Phrygia dedicated his royal throne to the Delphic sanctuary and that he himself saw it still on view. This chapter explains important historical information that may legitimately be extrapolated concerning Phrygian relations with the Greeks in the late 8th century, both with the Greek east and specifically with the Greek mainland. This information indicates an impulse that reflects something more than casual knowledge of Greek cultural affairs. The chapter reviews Phrygian artifacts archaeologically encountered in the west, in Greek controlled areas. Four categories of artifacts, all constructed of bronze, comprise the Phrygian corpus: fibulae, belts and belt handles, omphalos bowls, and cauldrons with bull head attachments. From an analysis of the archaeological finds and of the historical sources the chapter recognizes conscious knowledge of and friendly interaction with Greek society, both on the west coast and the mainland. Keywords:archaeology; Delphic sanctuary; Greek mainland; King midas; Phrygia