Post by Tamrin on Jun 14, 2009 12:32:38 GMT 10
The Phrygian language
Translation of Phrygian scripts
[Excerpt - Article by Mel Copeland - Linked Above]
Translation of Phrygian scripts
[Excerpt - Article by Mel Copeland - Linked Above]
The Phrygians are believed to have emigrated from Thrace to Anatolia, settling north of the Lydians, covering an area that comprises the northern half of modern Turkey. Of interest is an acropolis called Midas City located near Eskisehir, Turkey, dating from the 7th Century B.C., which contains inscriptions in an alphabet similar to the Etruscan. This site is on the western border of Phrygia (More information can be gotten at ancientanatolia.com).
The most famous Phrygian is Midas, a son of King Gordius by Cybele, who founded the city of Ankara. Nearby Ankara is the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire, Hattusha, Bogazkale, that was destroyed about 1180 B.C. An excellent photographic essay of this city is at www.pbase.com/dosseman/bogazkale. More on the Hittite Empire can be read at ancientanatolia.com.
Midas is said to be the discoverer of both black and white lead, but he is best known for his connections with another metal: gold. While Dionysus was on his expedition to India with his train, Old Seilenus wandered away and was captured by Phrygian peasants, who took him to the king. Some say that Midas caught him by mixing wine with the water in a spring, presumably in the hope of profiting from his prophetic powers. In either case, the king entertained Seilenus graciously and then gave him a guide to lead him back to Dionysus and his company. Dionysus was so grateful to Midas that he offered to grant any boon that he asked. Midas, who was fond of luxury, asked that all he touched might turn to gold. Reluctantly the god consented. Midas was at first delighted with the results, but he soon discovered that when he tried to eat the food turned to metal. Before long the ravenously hungry king was begging Dionysus to take back his miraculous gift. The god could not do that, but he advised Midas to wash in the river Pactolus. The king did so and his "golden touch" was transferred to the river, which forever after had gold-bearing sands.
Midas worshipped Pan as well as Dionysus. That woodland-god one day engaged in a musical contest with Apollo, with old King Tmolus as judge. Tmolus prudently awarded the prize to Apollo for his lyrre playing, but the rash Midas let it be known that he thought Pan the better musician. Apollo rewarded him by changing his ears to those of an ass.
Midas was acutely embarrassed. He wore a Phrygian cap pulled down over his ears, removing it only long enough to have his hair cut now and then. His barber, no doubt threatened with dire penalties if he revealed what he saw, was unusually discreet. In time, however, the strain of keepin the secret cecame too great for him. He dug a hole in a deserted meadow, whispered his extraordinary news into it, and filled it up again. All went well until the following spring, when reeds grew up on the spot. Passersby were astonished to hear them murmuring, "Midas has ass's ears" – and the king's secret was out.
Historically, Midas was one dynastic title of a succession of Phrygian kings who ruled in the valley of the Sangarius River; it alternated with the name Gordius. Some of these kings, ruling in Gordium, achieved considerable fame because of their wealth. One Midas sent rich offerings to Delphi. The Phrygians are believed to have entered Asia Minor from Europe. They may well have brought the name Midas with them from Macedonia, for the fertile valley that surrounds the ancient captial, Aegae (later Edessa), was known as the Gardens of Midas, and the story of the king's capture of Seilenus is sometimes located there. As for Midas' wealth, it seems to have been accidentally passed on to King Croesus of Lydia. That famous monarch found his rich supply of gold in the river Pactolus, near his captial of Sardis, where Midas had washed away his golden touch. [From Edward Tripp, "The Meridian Handbook of Classical Mythology.]
The most famous Phrygian is Midas, a son of King Gordius by Cybele, who founded the city of Ankara. Nearby Ankara is the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire, Hattusha, Bogazkale, that was destroyed about 1180 B.C. An excellent photographic essay of this city is at www.pbase.com/dosseman/bogazkale. More on the Hittite Empire can be read at ancientanatolia.com.
Midas is said to be the discoverer of both black and white lead, but he is best known for his connections with another metal: gold. While Dionysus was on his expedition to India with his train, Old Seilenus wandered away and was captured by Phrygian peasants, who took him to the king. Some say that Midas caught him by mixing wine with the water in a spring, presumably in the hope of profiting from his prophetic powers. In either case, the king entertained Seilenus graciously and then gave him a guide to lead him back to Dionysus and his company. Dionysus was so grateful to Midas that he offered to grant any boon that he asked. Midas, who was fond of luxury, asked that all he touched might turn to gold. Reluctantly the god consented. Midas was at first delighted with the results, but he soon discovered that when he tried to eat the food turned to metal. Before long the ravenously hungry king was begging Dionysus to take back his miraculous gift. The god could not do that, but he advised Midas to wash in the river Pactolus. The king did so and his "golden touch" was transferred to the river, which forever after had gold-bearing sands.
Midas worshipped Pan as well as Dionysus. That woodland-god one day engaged in a musical contest with Apollo, with old King Tmolus as judge. Tmolus prudently awarded the prize to Apollo for his lyrre playing, but the rash Midas let it be known that he thought Pan the better musician. Apollo rewarded him by changing his ears to those of an ass.
Midas was acutely embarrassed. He wore a Phrygian cap pulled down over his ears, removing it only long enough to have his hair cut now and then. His barber, no doubt threatened with dire penalties if he revealed what he saw, was unusually discreet. In time, however, the strain of keepin the secret cecame too great for him. He dug a hole in a deserted meadow, whispered his extraordinary news into it, and filled it up again. All went well until the following spring, when reeds grew up on the spot. Passersby were astonished to hear them murmuring, "Midas has ass's ears" – and the king's secret was out.
Historically, Midas was one dynastic title of a succession of Phrygian kings who ruled in the valley of the Sangarius River; it alternated with the name Gordius. Some of these kings, ruling in Gordium, achieved considerable fame because of their wealth. One Midas sent rich offerings to Delphi. The Phrygians are believed to have entered Asia Minor from Europe. They may well have brought the name Midas with them from Macedonia, for the fertile valley that surrounds the ancient captial, Aegae (later Edessa), was known as the Gardens of Midas, and the story of the king's capture of Seilenus is sometimes located there. As for Midas' wealth, it seems to have been accidentally passed on to King Croesus of Lydia. That famous monarch found his rich supply of gold in the river Pactolus, near his captial of Sardis, where Midas had washed away his golden touch. [From Edward Tripp, "The Meridian Handbook of Classical Mythology.]