The first story begins with Silenus, a satyr (part man and part horse) who was the teacher and companion of Dionysus. King Midas was a king in ancient Greek mythology who could turn anything he touched into gold. To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page. The tales are familiar to modern readers through the late classical versions, such as those in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book XI.
Namely, Mount Tmolus was the site where the musical contest between Apollo and Pan occurred, with the god of the mountain (also named Tmolus) acting as the judge.
In Greek mythology, this was the question asked of King Midas. The son of Gordias and Cybele – or at least their adopted child – Midas was the not-so-smart king of Phrygia who is today popularly remembered as the man with the golden touch. Can Vocational Training Really Solve Unemployment? Midas, in Greek and Roman legend, a king of Phrygia, known for his foolishness and greed. So, Midas had no option but to go back to Dionysus and ask the god to take away his gift. How Do I Use Study.com's Assign Lesson Feature? In this lesson, you will learn about the king's golden touch and how his wish for riches turned out to be a disaster. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Who led the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece? You can test out of the The two myths we will be looking at today are about King Midas.
Supposedly, until he realized its disadvantages and renounced it, Midas possessed the capacity to turn everything he touched into gold, a gift given to him by Dionysus after the king had helped the god’s most beloved companion, Silenus. Myths were stories that were passed from generation to generation (probably changing a little bit along the way!) A main purpose of Greek mythology is to teach a lesson. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. When his daughter came to give him a hug, she turned to gold. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Midas-Greek-mythology, Midas - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Midas - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up).
His wish granted, Midas went away trying it out. Services. In his anger, Apollo gave Midas the ears of a donkey because the musical god knew that only an ass would think that Pan's music was better than his own. Midas felt an allegiance to Pan, since he now lived in the countryside. Afterward, he did the same to an ear of corn and some apples. Anyone can earn {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons courses that prepare you to earn River Styx in Greek Mythology: Definition & Story, Quiz & Worksheet - King Midas in Greek Mythology, Over 83,000 lessons in all major subjects, {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, Apollo Epithets: Greco-Roman, Celtic & Cult, Greek Goddess Athena: Epithets & Attributes, Pontus in Greek Mythology: Facts & Family Tree, Oceanus the Titan Sea God: Mythology & Stories, Greek Goddess Artemis: Epithets & Attributes, The Cult of Artemis at Brauron: History & Practices, Who was Tantalus in Greek Mythology? Midas, (flourished 700 bc ? Although Midas had sworn him to secrecy, the barber whispered it into the ground. Midas was the king of Phrygia, who ruled over his people from a lavish castle encircled by a beauteous garden, in which – to quote history’s first historian, Herodotus – “roses grow of themselves, each bearing sixty blossoms and of surpassing fragrance.” The tales are familiar to modern readers through the late classical versions, such as those in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book XI. The stories of Midas, part of the Dionysiac cycle of legends, were first elaborated in the burlesques of the Athenian satyr plays. The king wished that all he touched might turn to gold, but when his food became gold and he nearly starved to death as a result, he realized his error. Moral of the story: if you return a satyr like Silenus to his owner and are granted a wish, think carefully before you make your request. just create an account. Since Midas made his wish with a greedy heart, he lost all he had as king. He filled in the hole, but reeds grew from the spot and broadcast the sibilant secret—“Midas has ass’s ears”—when the wind blew through them. Historians suspect that King Mita is the namesake for the mythical King Midas. This seems like it would be an easy enough decision; Apollo, as god of music, should have been the clear and obvious winner. Even after moving to the countryside in an effort to live a quiet life, he managed to make Apollo angry while attempting to please Pan and ended up with the ears of an ass. Log in here for access. King Midas received his gift of turning everything into gold from the Greek god Dionysus.
By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. “No problem,” said Dionysus, “you just need to wash yourself in the River Pactolus.” Midas went to Sardis, ancient-day Lydia – where Pactolus still flows today (near the Aegean coast of Turkey) – and did exactly that, passing on his gift to the river. © copyright 2003-2020 Study.com. - Story & Punishment, Who is Adonis in Greek Mythology? The stories of Midas, part of the Dionysiac cycle of legends, were first elaborated in the burlesques of the Athenian satyr plays. Apollo had only one explanation for Midas’ disagreement: “Boy, that man must have the ears of an ass,” he exclaimed before the crowd. On the eleventh, Midas personally took Silenus back to his master, Dionysus, who, in gratitude for Midas’ hospitality, granted Midas one wish. The legendary King Midas was the ruler of Phrygia, part of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).
When the god Dionysus offered to grant him a wish, Midas wished that everything he touched might turn to gold. In Ancient Greece, mythology had three main purposes. Things only got worse for Midas, however. Midas is also famous for another divine gift: the asses’ ears, which he got from Apollo as a reward for his resolution to decide in favor of Pan at the Apollo vs. Pan musical contest. For his kind treatment of Silenus Midas was rewarded by Dionysus with a wish. He was found by a few of the king's servants, who took the satyr back to King Midas. Grace has a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in teaching. Before we get into the story of King Midas and his wish, it's important to have a small background of Greek mythology and the key players in our story.