Midas, a legendary king of Phrygia, was famous for having the “golden” touch. He wished that everything he touched would turn into gold.
Unfortunately, his wish was not a blessing, but a curse. The myth of King Midas tells what happens when true happiness is not recognized.
King Midas had everything he could ask for. He lived in a beautiful caste with his daughter and had no worries. But he was obsessed with money. He always wanted more and more. Midas thought that his greatest happiness was provided by gold.
One day the God Dionysus found himself in Phrygia. He was followed by a group of Satyrs and other creatures that were always celebrating and feasting with him. Silenus, one of the Satyrs, entered the sacred Rose garden of Midas and the guards brought the intruder to the King.
Midas recognized the follower of Dionysus and decided not to punish him. God Dionysus was pleased with Midas and his decision not to punish Silenus, thus asked Midas what he wanted the most from his life – in order to return the favor.
Midas said that he wished everything he touched could turn to gold. Although Dionysus warned Midas about the potential dangers of such a wish, Midas insisted on it and Dionysus granted him with the infamous Midas Touch.
Midas was extremely happy to have received the gift. Now, he could suddenly turn everything to gold. However, he soon realized the gift was a curse. He was unable to eat, drink or do anything normally, since everything he touched would turn to gold. Midas started understanding the warnings of Dionysus and the depth of his mistake and greed.
King Midas went to Dionysus, desperate, and begged him to free him from this “curse”. Dionysus told Midas that he had to go and bathe in the River Paktolos (Pactolus) in order to wash away this ability.
King Midas golden touch
King Midas could turn everything he touched into gold.
Midas had no choice. He went to Paktolos river and washed himself. The Greek myth tells the gold settled in the sand of the river and was carried to another country of the East, Lydia, that became one of the richest countries of the antiquity.
The story about King Midas and his desire for gold is one of the most known beliefs of the Greeks, the short-sighted wish, and the punishment for greed.
Explanation:
