Name of the Legendary Anatolian King Mita/Midas From Cuneiform Records to Ancient Greek Sources

Abstract

Mushkians/ Phrygians, their capital Gordion (Polatlı-Ankara), and their famous king Midas had a profound influence on Anatolian cultural heritage among the ancient Anatolian civilizations. Especially during the Hellenistic period, the Phrygian king Midas, who was the subject of myths with his legendary aspects, was also a subject of curiosity in terms of both the Phrygians’ presence in Anatolian political history and the king’s actions. The earliest source related to the name of king Midas was provided by the Mita of Pahhuwa texts, recorded in Hittite cuneiform dating to the end of the Middle Hittite period. Following these texts, the name Mita the king was found in Assyrian cuneiform records after the middle of the 8^th century BC. In these records, the king, referred to as Mita of Muški, was transferred as a powerful leader figure, one of the determinants of Anatolian politics. The name of the king, written as Mita in the Hieroglyphic Luwian records dated to the same period, was referred to as Mida in the Old Phrygian inscriptions, and the King Mida was usually recorded in the texts of religious practices. This study aimed to examine Mita, the name of an Anatolian king, historically and linguistically with primary sources; and also included the transfer of both the political and legendary existence of the kings who used the name Mita/ Midas in the historical process.