The Golden Age of King Midas

What was behind the legendary story of King Midas and his Golden Touch?

That is the question to be answered—not with chests full of gold, but with a spectacular array of ancient artifacts, on loan from the Republic of Turkey, which tell the story of a very powerful ruler of the Phrygian kingdom in what is now central Turkey. King Midas lived in the prosperous city of Gordion, the political and cultural capital of the Phrygians nearly 3,000 years ago. This world premiere exhibition, developed by the Penn Museum, includes over 120 objects from Turkish Museums in Ankara, Istanbul, Anatalya, and Gordion.

Penn Museum’s ongoing archaeological work at Gordion created an international sensation in the late 1950s, when excavators unearthed one of the largest burial mounds in Turkey, equivalent to a 17-story building. The mound contained the oldest standing wooden building in the world.  It appears to have been the tomb of King Midas’ father Gordios. The exhibition includes many of the bronze vessels from the tomb—most of which will be shown in the U.S. for the first time—used by the mourners at his funerary feast in 740 BCE.

Also featured are jewelry, statuary, exquisitely painted pottery, and architectural elements—including the oldest colored stone mosaic ever made. Ivory furniture panels from northern Iraq (8th c BCE) and a golden shroud from the Caucasus Mountains (5th c BCE) are among the extraordinary artifacts from neighboring realms, all of which demonstrate a legendary king’s extraordinary power and golden touch. Exhibition admission (includes general admission): adult $20; seniors $18; student (with ID) $15; child (6-17): $15.  Free for Penn Museum members, PennCard holders, and children 5 and under.