The Ten Minute Bible Hour Podcast

PLMN020 - King Midas and the Golden Age of Phrygia

Nov 14, 2025
Discover the fascinating link between Phrygia and the legendary King Midas. Explore how this ancient region in central Turkey shaped cultural stories and identities, including the ethnic distinctions from the Greeks. Learn about Phrygia's wealth from wool and red dye, and its unique visual identity featuring floppy caps. Delve into the Phrygian musical sound, echoed in familiar tunes like Hava Nagila. All this ties back to significant locations in the New Testament, revealing deep historical connections.
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INSIGHT

Phrygia As The Source Of Familiar Myths

  • Phrygia is the origin of famous myths like King Midas and shaped many recognizable cultural images.
  • Understanding Phrygia explains why some familiar legends and symbols come from central Turkey rather than Greece.
INSIGHT

Phrygians Were Distinct From Greeks

  • Phrygia was a distinct ethnic and linguistic group, not simply another variant of Greek culture.
  • Their language and identity persisted in central Turkey well into late antiquity, separate from Greek speech.
INSIGHT

Ancient Provinces Don’t Match Ethnic Homelands

  • Ancient borders shift: Roman provincial Phrygia doesn't match the historic Phrygian homeland around Gordium.
  • This mismatch affects how we interpret locations like Colossae and earlier discussions of Galatia.
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