Learn about the ancient kingdom Phrygia. Understand Phrygia's origins and history as well as its culture and language. Explore the legendary story of King Midas.
Updated: 11/21/2023
Phrygian | Definition, History & Culture
Table of Contents
- Who were the Phrygians?
- History of the Phrygians
- What was the Phrygian Kingdom?
- Culture of the Phrygian Kingdom
- The Legacy of the Phrygian Kingdom
- Lesson Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Phrygia called now?
Phrygia is now a part of Turkey. Phrygia was a part of Asia Minor, or Anatolia, which is located in the western part of Turkey.
What happened to Phrygia?
The capital of Phrygia, Gordion, was destroyed by the Cimmerians in 696 BCE. Subsequently, the kingdom dissolved, and its people were absorbed by its neighbors. The area was later occupied by the Persians and was then conquered by Alexander the Great. It became part of the Byzantine Empire and remained so until the late 11th century CE. Today, it is part of the country of Turkey.
What race were the Phrygians?
The Phrygians were part of a migration of nomadic people from the Balkans in southeastern Europe who arrived in Anatolia, or Asia Minor, around 1200 BCE. They may be descendants of the Thracians, and there is evidence that they were closely allied with the Trojans.
Table of Contents
- Who were the Phrygians?
- History of the Phrygians
- What was the Phrygian Kingdom?
- Culture of the Phrygian Kingdom
- The Legacy of the Phrygian Kingdom
- Lesson Summary
The Phrygians were an ancient civilization in the Near East. They are believed to be descendants of the Balkan people of southeastern Europe. They were also related to the Thracians from the same area. They flourished as an independent kingdom during the 8th and 7th centuries BCE.
Where was Phrygia?
The kingdom of Phrygia was located in what today is Turkey. The area is also known as Anatolia or Asia Minor. On a map, it is a large peninsula in western Turkey bound to the north by the Black Sea and to the south by the Mediterranean Sea.
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The early Phrygians arrived in Anatolia, or Asia Minor, around 1200 BCE. They were part of a large migration of nomadic people from Europe and were among the earliest known inhabitants of Anatolia. While not much is known about their early history, the Phrygians may have been associated with the Thracians. They were also closely associated with the Trojans; Homer mentions them frequently as Trojan allies in the Iliad.
Phrygia flourished as an independent kingdom during the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. They later established several cities, most notably the capital, Gordion. They were primarily an agricultural society but they also mined gold and marble from the local mountains and herded sheep. The fact that the capital, Gordion, was located along an early east-west trade route contributed to a successful trading economy.
In 696 BCE, Phrygia was attacked by the Cimmerians, a nomadic Indo-European people who came from the area now known as the Crimea. The capital city of Gordion was destroyed by fire.
After the destruction of Gordion, the influence of Phrygia diminished. The people were gradually absorbed into neighboring civilizations. The area fell first under the influence of the Persians and then was part of the territory conquered by Alexander the Great. The area later became part of the Byzantine Empire, which lasted until the late 11th century CE. Today, the area once occupied by the Phrygians is part of Turkey.
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Phrygia was an ancient kingdom that existed between the 12th to 7th centuries BCE. Before the demise of the kingdom of Phrygia, the Anatolian kingdom had strong rules and conquests. Although many facts are not known about the kingdom, legendary figures such as King Midas. King Midas is said to have had supernatural powers, such as turning anything he touched into hold. The demise of the kingdom of the Phrygians saw its rule taken by Lyndian, Persian, Seleucid, and finally, Roman control. Emerging from the ashes of the Hittite Empire around 1200 BCE, the Phrygian kingdom arose in Anatolia, modern-day Turkey. Due to insufficient data and information, some scholars propose a compelling migration theory, suggesting a link between the Phrygians and the enigmatic "Sea Peoples" mentioned in Egyptian chronicles. These mysterious raiders' role in the Hittite decline adds tantalizing intrigue to the narrative. The existence of a connection of shared linguistic threads between Phrygian and Thracian adds more weight to this as they both belong to the Indo-European linguistic family. Moreover, archaeological clues unearthed in the Balkans hint at Phrygian origins in that region. Thus, the theory paints a picture of a people on the move, weaving their tapestry into the rich tapestry of Anatolian history.
King Midas of Phrygia
The best-known of the Phrygian kings is the last king, King Midas. He came to the throne in 738 BCE and reigned until the fall of Gordion in 696 BCE. After that defeat, he committed suicide, supposedly by drinking bull's blood. A large mound called the Midas Mound, 174 feet high and 984 feet wide, stands today near the ancient site of Gordion. While it was thought to be a mound built by the people to honor Midas, experts believe today that it was probably built by Midas to honor his father, Gordius. When the mound was excavated in 1957, a tomb was discovered filled with elaborate wooden furniture and nearly 200 bronze vessels, some still containing food residue.
Midas is also an important figure in Greek mythology. He supposedly was granted a gift by the Greek god Dionysus in return for his hospitality to the satyr Silenus. He was allowed to choose his gift, and he requested that everything he touched turn to gold. The wish was granted. At first, Midas was thrilled with his new ability, but he soon realized that the gift had a downside when his horse, his food and drink, and even his daughter turned to god when he touched them. Repentant, he asked Dionysus to reverse the gift and was instructed to wash his hands in the River Pactolus. When he did this, the gift was reversed. Having learned his lesson about excessive greed, Midas became a king loved by his people.
Another myth concerning King Midas tells of his happening upon a musical contest between the god Apollo and Pan, the god of shepherds. When Apollo was declared the winner of the contest, Midas interfered, saying that the decision was wrong. Apollo supposedly commented that Midas must have the ears of an ass and promptly turned Midas's ears into donkey's ears.
The legend of the Gordian Knot is also associated with Phrygia. Supposedly Gordius, the father of Midas, arrived at Gordion riding in a wagon pulled by an ox. His arrival was viewed as the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy concerning the arrival of a new king riding in a cart. Gordius tied his wagon and the ox yoke together with a knot that was so tight no one could unravel it. The story grew that whoever could unravel the knot would rule all of Asia. When Alexander the Great arrived in Gordion, he was unable to unravel the knot, so he took his sword and cut it in two. Alexander, subsequently, did indeed rule all of Asia before his death at 32.
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The site of the ancient Phrygian capital of Gordion has been extensively excavated. In addition to the Midas Mound, many burial mounds in the area have also been excavated. These excavations have revealed evidence of a wealthy and accomplished society.
Phrygia was a very wealthy kingdom, partly because of Gordion's location on an ancient east-west trading route. This route was later restored by the Persians and named the Royal Road, stretching from Anatolia to today's Iran. There is evidence of Phrygian trade with countries as far away as Syria.
Natural resources were abundant in Phrygia. The Phrygians mined both gold and marble from the mountains, and they also herded sheep. They were primarily an agricultural society, however, and there is evidence that they grew vines to make wine.
Phrygian artifacts discovered in the tombs and at the location of Gordion show that the people were accomplished artisans. Inlaid wooden furniture, bronze and brass vessels, decorated pottery, and wooden and bronze animal figurines have been discovered.
While much of Phrygian culture resembles that of its Anatolian neighbors, the Phrygians maintained a close relationship with Greece. This relationship affected the Phrygian language. Based on writing found on numerous excavated objects, it is clear that the Phrygians adopted the Greek alphabet and that their language is closely related to ancient Greek.
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The Phrygian kingdom endured more to sustain itself, it also achieved much in terms of self-gain and influence. These are explained below.
Enduring Legacy
The historical thrive and struggle to inspire much. some include the following;
- The cultural treasure trove continues to inspire and intrigue the cultural context.
- The kingdom reminisces the power of human creativity and the interconnectedness of history.
- Their story whispers through art, music, and language, leaving a lasting mark on our world.
Cultural Influence
The culture of the Phrygian kingdom had far-reaching impacts, some of which are listed below.
- The thriving Anatolian kingdom (1200 BC) is known for trade, agriculture, and strategic land control.
- It is renowned for exquisite artistry in metalwork, textiles, and music.
- Its religious system centered around the powerful mother goddess Cybele, significantly influencing later cultures.
- Phrygia's linguistic legacy is evident in diverse languages like Greek and Armenian.
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The Phrygians were an ancient people located in western Turkey on a present-day map. The Phrygians were part of a group of nomadic people who migrated from southeastern Europe to Anatolia, or Asia Minor, around 1200 BCE. They may have descended from the Thracians, and they were closely aligned with the Trojans. The Phrygian kingdom flourished during the 8th to 7th centuries BCE with a capital at Gordion, located on an ancient east-west trading route. Phrygia was a wealthy country based on agriculture, trade, and mining. The kingdom came under attack in 696 BCE, and the capital was destroyed by fire. After that, the kingdom's influence in the area diminished, and its people were assimilated into other groups in Anatolia. The area was conquered later by the Persians and then by Alexander the Great. Asia Minor was part of the Byzantine Empire until the late 11th century, and today it is part of Turkey.
The last king of the Phrygians, Midas, committed suicide after the destruction of Gordion. A large mound, the Midas Mound, was thought to have been built to honor Midas, but it probably was built by Midas to honor his father, Gordius. Midas is an important figure in Greek mythology because of the story of his being given the gift that everything he touched turned to gold, a gift that he regretted when even his daughter turned to gold. Midas's father, Gordius, is the originator of the legendary story of the Gordian knot, a knot so complex that no one could unravel it; it was eventually destroyed by Alexander the Great, who cut it in two with a sword. When it was excavated, the Midas Mound was found to contain the grave of a king with his grave goods. Excavation of it and other burial mounds and of the site of Gordion shows that Phrygia was a wealthy kingdom with gold and marble deposits and a thriving agricultural community. Artifacts, including furniture and crafted vessels and figurines, have been discovered that show that the Phrygians were accomplished artisans also. The Phrygians' close ties with Greece are evident because its language is closely related to Greek and uses the Greek alphabet. The connection of King Midas to Greek mythology also indicates a close relationship.
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Additional Info
The Phrygians
There are some pretty wild characters in Greek mythology. One of the figures to evoke a constant sense of envy in Western societies is King Midas, the man said to turn everything he touched into gold. While this is a very popular story, there are a few things you may not realize about King Midas. First, he may have actually been a real person, so that's cool. Secondly, he wasn't actually Greek.
Midas was the king of the Phrygians, a kingdom located in Anatolia (today the nation of Turkey). Located just across the Aegean Sea, Greece and Anatolia were often in contact with each other. The Phrygians in particular had a lot of contact with Greece. They borrowed the Greek alphabet for their language, and in return the Greeks borrowed their stories of kings who filled the Mediterranean region with gold.
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History of the Phrygians
Despite some really good archaeological evidence of their main cities, there's a lot that we actually don't know about the Phrygians. In fact, we don't even know what they called themselves. The name Phrygian was the Greek word for their kingdom. The Assyrian Empire to the south called them the Muski.
These mysterious people appeared in historic records with little notice or background, establishing themselves as a major power in the 8th century BCE. But where'd they come from? Ancient texts are inconsistent on this matter, but many historians believe they may have descended from the Balkans of Eastern Europe following the breakup of the Hittite Empire around 1200 BCE.
What we know for sure is that they built some major cities in the 8th century BCE and rose amazingly quickly to become the dominant power of Anatolia. Their capital city was Gordion, located about 60 miles southwest of Turkey's modern capital Anakara (also built on a former Phrygian city). Their civilization reached the height of their dominance around 750 BCE, after which Gordion was raided by a nomadic tribe called the Cimmerians (according to ancient sources). The Phrygian culture survived, even if their former power did not, and was later incorporated into the Persian Empire and that of Alexander the Great.
Phrygian Culture and King Midas
The Phrygian Kingdom is really interesting because it emerged in historic records very suddenly, and rose to be extremely wealthy and powerful very quickly. The Phrygians built large, fortified cities that showed architectural influence from both Greece and West Asia, and they established themselves as master craftsmen and artisans. Their bronze, ivory, and woodworking skills seem to have been particularly respected, and we find a lot of unique artifacts from Phrygian cities and tombs made of these materials. Considering the historical importance of Anatolia, it seems likely the Phrygia actually made a lot of its wealth from controlling trade routes connecting the Mediterranean to West Asia and Eastern Europe.
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Of course, the most famous of the Phrygians was Midas (who the Assyrians also noted in their records under the name Mitas). Could he really turn things into gold? We can safely assume that this was an exaggeration, but the myth does show us just how wealthy he was. Midas controlled such riches that the Greeks described him literally creating gold. There's actually a lot that mythology can tell us about Midas. Besides simply the fact that he was unbelievably rich, his prominence in Greek mythology suggests a strong relationship between the Greeks and Phrygians. In fact, not only was Midas said to have donated his lavish throne to the Greek oracle at Delphi, but he was also said to have married a Greek princess. This was traditionally a sign of a political, economic, or cultural alliance between states.
Archaeology can also tell us a thing or two about the Phrygians. These people built large tombs which were stuffed with grave goods. The largest (50 meters tall and 300 meters in diameter) is known as the Midas Mound. It was likely built by Midas for his predecessor (often said to be the founder of the centralized Phrygian kingdom). Within this mound, archaeologists found bronze and brass cauldrons and vessels, lavish inlaid wooden thrones and chairs, bronze belts (which seem to have been especially prized in this culture), pottery, and carved figurines. It was a burial fit for a king, and not just any king, but one whose son could create gold with a touch of his hand.
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Lesson Summary
The Phrygian Kingdom was a state in Anatolia (modern Turkey) which thrived in the 8th century BCE. Little is known abut the Phrygian origin or rise to power before they founded their capital of Gordion and quickly dominated the region. Recognized for their craftsmanship and wealth, they also interacted closely with the Greeks. This relationship may have been established by their most famous king, Midas. Midas oversaw the height of Phrygian power and wealth, as is evident from the lavish Midas Mound a sumptuous tomb likely built for his predecessor. The Phrygian kingdom was toppled by the end of the century, but the Phrygian people remained active and powerful in the region for generations to come. How'd they do it? Maybe they were skilled traders, or incredible artisans. Or maybe it was just that Midas touch.
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Phrygian | Definition, History & Culture
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