The golden curse of King Midas is a well-known myth from Greek mythology. According to the ancient story, King Midas was a ruler who possessed an insatiable desire for wealth and riches. His obsession with gold led him to perform a great act of kindness towards the god Dionysus, who granted him a wish as a reward. King Midas, blinded by his greed, wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Initially, King Midas was overjoyed with his newfound power. He reveled in the ability to turn ordinary objects into valuable gold.
Silenus: What a feast last night! The lentils, the figs, the honey cakes . . . (He burps.)
At least as early as the beginning of the 2nd millennium BCE, Assyrian merchants were exporting gold from Asia Minor into Assyria and Mesopotamia, although it was only one commodity in a very complicated trade system that encompassed the entire Near East. It is therefore not surprising that myths and legends have arisen related to the special qualities of gold, of which the Golden Touch of Midas is probably the most famous example.
He reveled in the ability to turn ordinary objects into valuable gold. However, his joy was short-lived as he soon realized the devastating consequences of his wish. Subsequently, he discovered that even the simplest actions, such as touching his food or hugging his daughter, turned everything into solid gold.
Midas
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External Websites- Theoi - Midas, Greek mythology
- Ancient Origins - Everything he Touched Turned to Gold: The Myth and Reality of King Midas
- World History Encyclopedia - Midas
- Encyclopedia Mythica - Midas
- Greek Gods and Goddessess - King Midas
- Midas - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- Midas - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Feedback External Websites Feedback Thank you for your feedbackOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites- Theoi - Midas, Greek mythology
- Ancient Origins - Everything he Touched Turned to Gold: The Myth and Reality of King Midas
- World History Encyclopedia - Midas
- Encyclopedia Mythica - Midas
- Greek Gods and Goddessess - King Midas
- Midas - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- Midas - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 15, 2023 • Article History Table of ContentsMidas, in Greek and Roman legend, a king of Phrygia, known for his foolishness and greed. The stories of Midas, part of the Dionysiac cycle of legends, were first elaborated in the burlesques of the Athenian satyr plays. The tales are familiar to modern readers through the late classical versions, such as those in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Book XI.
According to the myth, Midas found the wandering Silenus, the satyr and companion of the god Dionysus. For his kind treatment of Silenus Midas was rewarded by Dionysus with a wish. The king wished that all he touched might turn to gold, but when his food became gold and he nearly starved to death as a result, he realized his error. Dionysus then granted him release by having him bathe in the Pactolus River (near Sardis in modern Turkey), an action to which the presence of alluvial gold in that stream is attributed.
Britannica Quiz From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek MythologyIn another story the king was asked to judge a musical contest between Apollo and Pan. When Midas decided against Apollo, the god changed his ears into those of an ass. Midas concealed them under a turban and made his barber swear to tell no living soul. The barber, bursting with his secret, whispered it into a hole in the ground. He filled in the hole, but reeds grew from the spot and broadcast the sibilant secret—“Midas has ass’s ears”—when the wind blew through them.
Midas ( looking around): What? Was it all a dream?
His palace became a lifeless, cold, and unlivable place. The golden curse became a curse of isolation for King Midas. He became desperate to reverse the wish, yearning for human contact and the warmth of touch. He realized that his lust for wealth had brought him a hollow existence devoid of any true happiness. Driven to despair, King Midas sought the advice of Dionysus, begging him to rid him of the golden curse. Dionysus granted him the solution - a journey to the river Pactolus, where King Midas was instructed to wash himself and relinquish the golden touch in the river. Following the instructions, King Midas bathed in the river, and the curse was lifted. The moral of the myth of the golden curse of King Midas is that excessive greed and avarice can lead to profound misery. It serves as a cautionary tale against valuing material wealth above all else, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the intangible blessings in life. The story imparts the lesson that true happiness cannot be found in riches alone but is rather achieved through love, compassion, and the embrace of the human experience..
Reviews for "King Midas and the Perils of Wealth: A Mythical Warning"
1. John - 1/5 - I was extremely disappointed with "The Golden Curse of King Midas". The plot was meandering and confusing, and the characters lacked depth. The movie also failed to capture the sense of adventure and excitement that I was expecting. Overall, I found it to be a dull and uninspiring film.
2. Emily - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to watching "The Golden Curse of King Midas" but unfortunately it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the storyline was convoluted and hard to follow. The acting was also mediocre, with the characters failing to evoke any emotional connection with the audience. While the visuals were impressive, the overall execution of the film was lacking.
3. David - 2/5 - "The Golden Curse of King Midas" had a promising concept, but it failed to deliver on many fronts. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom interrupted by sudden bursts of action. The dialogue was cliché and uninteresting, and I found it difficult to stay engaged throughout the movie. Despite its potential, the film ultimately left me feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
4. Sarah - 1/5 - I was sorely disappointed by "The Golden Curse of King Midas". The script was weak, filled with clichés and predictable twists. The acting was wooden, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The visual effects were also underwhelming and failed to bring the fantastical elements of the story to life. Overall, I found the film dull and forgettable, and would not recommend it to others.