Midas, Matar, and Homer at Gordion and Midas City

A new reconstruction of Middle Phrygian Gordion and analysis of the Midas Monument's inscriptions reveal that Midas's kingship was deeply intertwined with political power, religious devotion to the goddess Matar, and cultural references to Troy and Homer. The study suggests that public buildings in Gordion's citadel may have served as sites for elite feasting, potentially linking Phrygian royalty to Homeric narratives. By examining architectural remains and inscriptions, researchers propose a nuanced understanding of Midas's rule and the significance of his capital city during the late 8th century B.C.

Rose. (2021). Midas, Matar, and Homer at Gordion and Midas City. Hesperia: The Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 90(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.2972/hesperia.90.1.0027