King Midas Created By: Matthew Gorski Troy Shurites Colleen McCoy

The Becoming of King Midas His mother was said to be the great goddess Cybelle, who was the mother of the gods and his father was Gordius, but people are still unsure if he was his real father or step-father. When he was a child it was said that a group of ants were carrying wheat up the side of his cradle and when asked by the oracles why this was done they said, “This child is a very special child”. He became ruler at a very young age because he was the next in line to get the throne.

The Reign of King Midas King Midas ruled over the country, Macedonia, where he ruled people known as Brigians. He was a very kind and fair ruler who was well- liked among the people of his country. Although Midas was very kind he was not very wise. He was said to do things before he thought about the consequences. King Midas was known for having beautiful rose gardens. These rose gardens were King Midas’ prize positions and won him several prizes.

The Man with the Golden Touch One evening Silenus, who was one of Dionynsus’ army officers, got drunk at a party and wandered over to King Midas’ palace and passed out in his rose garden. The next morning two of the gardeners found him and decided to take this man to Midas. When Midas asked the man his name he preceded to tell him about the journeys he had been on and the battles he had faced. These stories went on for ten days and ten nights.

The Golden Touch con’t. Midas decided to let Silenus go back to Dionysus unharmed. So happy to see Silenus, Dyonisus said to Midas, “Name your reward and I will grant it for you”. Midas who was so delighted to hear this good news said, “I want anything I touch to be turned to gold”. This was not a good thing because when he tried to eat food his lips would turn to gold, and when he hugged his daughter she turned to gold. The reward turned out to cause more harm than good for Midas.

The End of the Golden Touch! King Midas went back to Dionysus and asked to exchange his reward. He told Midas to go to the river of Pactulos and plunge his entire body and daughter’s body into the water. After doing this he was cleansed of the Golden Touch!

Becoming King Dionysus still wanted to reward Midas for his kindness. He asked him what else he could do to reward him. Midas wanted to be King of Phrygia, but the country was ruled by King Gordius. King Gordius decided to adopt Midas so that when he dies Midas would be granted the throne. Eventually he died and Midas became the King. As King he discovered the great city called Anycra. People credit Gordius for some of Midas’ accomplishments.

The End of King Midas…. Apollo called King Midas an “ass”, and to prove his point he hit Midas on the head and gave him the ears of a donkey. Midas had kept this a secret to everyone except his Barber who was sworn to secrecy, but he accidentally let it slip one day and Midas cut his head off. Midas was so ashamed of his embarrassing ears and what people were saying about him he decided to hang himself.