Who Were the Phrygians

The Phrygians might not be as well-known as the Greeks or Romans, but they were an important ancient people. They lived in what is now Turkey and left behind myths, music, and cultural ideas that influenced later civilizations. No one knows exactly where they came from, but many historians believe they migrated from Europe to Asia thousands of years ago.

The Greek historian Herodotus said the Phrygians originally lived in the Balkans, where they were called the Bryges. At some point, they moved across a narrow sea passage called the Hellespont and settled in Anatolia. Some experts think this happened around 1200 BC, possibly after the Trojan War, while others believe it took place over many years. However, there is little physical evidence to prove exactly when or how they arrived.

The Phrygians built a strong and successful civilization. Their capital city, Gordium, became an important center of power in the 8th and 7th centuries BC. They were known for trading, art, and music. One of their biggest contributions was the aulos, a double-piped flute that later became popular in Greek music. The "Phrygian mode," a musical scale, was named after them and was believed to have a dramatic, warlike sound.

One of the most famous Phrygians was King Midas, a ruler with a legendary story. According to myth, he was granted the power to turn anything he touched into gold. At first, he was happy, but soon realized he couldn't eat or drink, and he even turned his daughter into gold by accident. He later washed his hands in a river to remove the curse, which is why the sands of the Pactolus River were said to be rich in gold.

There was also a real King Midas who ruled Phrygia in the 8th century BC. His kingdom was eventually attacked by the Cimmerians, a group of fierce warriors. Some records say Midas took his own life rather than be captured. Archaeologists have found evidence of destruction in Gordium from this time, supporting the idea that the Phrygians faced a violent downfall.

The Cimmerians' invasion weakened Phrygia, and it never fully recovered. The powerful Lydians took over their land, followed by the Persian Empire in 546 BC. Under Persian rule, Phrygia was divided into two provinces. Over time, the Phrygian language and culture faded, and by the 7th century AD, their language was completely lost.

Phrygian was an Indo-European language, and experts have debated which languages it was related to. At first, many thought it was similar to Thracian or Armenian, but more recent studies suggest it was actually very close to Greek. While some written records of Phrygian exist, most of the language remains a mystery.

Religion was very important to the Phrygians. Their main goddess was Cybele, also called Matar Kubileya, which means "Mother of the Mountain." She was often shown with a tall crown and lions beside her. Her worship spread to Greece and Rome, where she became known as the "Great Mother." Another important god was Sabazios, a sky god often shown riding a horse. Some art shows his horse stepping on a bull's head, which may have symbolized a rivalry between their religious groups. The Phrygians also adopted gods from nearby cultures, like Artemis and Dionysos.

One of the most famous Phrygian legends is the Gordian Knot. The story says that when the Phrygians needed a king, an oracle predicted that the next man to arrive in an ox-cart would rule. That man was Gordius, a simple farmer. He tied his cart to a post with a knot so complicated that no one could untie it. The legend claimed that whoever could untie the knot would rule all of Asia. Many tried and failed, until Alexander the Great arrived in 333 BC. Instead of struggling with the knot, he simply cut it with his sword. His bold action was seen as proof that he would go on to conquer vast lands.

The Phrygians were also connected to the famous Trojan War. In Homer’s Iliad, they are described as allies of Troy, fighting against the Greeks. Phrygian leaders like Ascanius and Phorcys led their troops into battle. A Phrygian prince named Coroebus even died defending Troy. Some stories say that Hecabe, the wife of King Priam of Troy, was Phrygian, showing how close the two cultures were.