Midas was the king of Phrygia, an ancient kingdom. He was described as a man of immense wealth even before the golden touch, a king who lived in luxury, surrounded by rose gardens of legendary beauty. He was not a cruel man, not a villain in the traditional sense. He was simply a man whose love of gold exceeded his wisdom.
When Dionysus, the god of wine, festivity, and divine madness, lost his elderly satyr companion Silenus, it was Midas who found him wandering drunk through his rose gardens. Rather than turning him away, Midas welcomed Silenus, feasted with him for ten days and nights, and returned him safely to Dionysus.
Grateful, Dionysus offered Midas any gift he desired.
Midas asked that everything he touched be turned to gold, pure gold.
