PHRYGIANS IN CAPPADOCIA

Phrygians were a Kingdom at Anatolia in BC 750-676. Gordion( today in yassıhuyuk/Ankara) was the capital. The Phrygians united with the Urartians and fought against the Assyrians. The Phrygians captured almost all of the Hittite lands. The legendary king Midas, son of Gordios ( The first King of Phrygians) , who came to power in 7 BC decided to agree with the Assyrians. During the Midas period, the capital Gordium, as well as the Midas City was very developed.

Midas was the mos important Phrygian king among all of them. Midas was also in Greek mythology too, by his talent to turn anything gold that whatever he touches. He is also known for his “Donkey ears”. In his era, Phrygia had its golden era with him. Gordion invaded by Cimmerians in BC 695 and fell down. After that, Midas killed himself by drinking bull blood.

Midas touching his daughter, after that she turned into a golden statue.

Today, the area in between Eskişehir, Kütahya and Afyon provinces and contains historical ruins and ancient artifacts bearing traces of Phrygian civilization, is called the Phrygian Valleys. This region is also known as second Cappadocia and has the artifacts of churches, tombs etc.

MAP OF PHRYGIA VALLEY

The most important feature of the Phrygian culture is the tumuli. These are artificial tombs built to bury peoples. They have built in between the 8th century BC and the 6th century BC. These structures weren’t in Anatolia area before Phrygians. There is nearly 100 of them in the region.

TOMB OF MIDAS (TUMULUS)