King Midas and the Golden Touch . Soon after this, however, a harper named Craiftine broke his instrument, and made a new one out of the very willow the barber had told his secret to. If there was, what do we know about him? King Midas is known for his touch turning everything into gold. King Midas turned everything he touched into gold. Things only got worse for Midas, however. Sarah Morris demonstrated (Morris, 2004) that donkeys' ears were a Bronze Age royal attribute, borne by King Tarkasnawa (Greek Tarkondemos) of Mira, on a seal inscribed in both Hittite cuneiform and Luwian hieroglyphs. Related Content Here was a problem indeed. 1 was here. Ovids stories of the golden touch and the king with the ears of a donkey became popular tales with a clear message against greed and rash action. Unfortunately for Midas, his move to the countryside did not lead to the simple life he was hoping for. It is a tale that has been evoked by countless writers and artists, however the Roman poet Ovid was the one who gave full shape to Midas in his play Metamorphoses. King Midas received his gift of turning everything into gold from the Greek god Dionysus. To thank him for his hospitality, Dionysus offered the king any boon he wished. The king had great admiration for the Greek god Dionysus. Midas is the name of one of at least three members of the royal house of Phrygia. Other accounts differ as they state Midas did not have a daughter, but a son named Anchurus. (81). Today, the word "Aryan" has become synonymous with all sorts of negative connotations, including theories of racial superiority and white supremacy. Archaeologists have found evidence showing that Gordium, the ancient capital of Phrygia, was sacked sometime between 700 and 675 BC, the same range of time given by ancient historians for the death of Midas. But how much myth and how much reality is there around this character? Some legends state he touched his daughter and she turned into gold. Unless, of course, you were Midas. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. Contents 1 Mythology 1.1 Early Life 1.2 The Midas Touch 1.3 Ears of an Ass 2 Gallery Mythology Early Life Statue of Ovid in Constanza, designed by Ettore Ferrari. Cushioned Shoe Storage Bench with Drawers. Trying to kill the doe, he is cursed by Dahut, a magician who lives under the sea. King Midas is the king from Greek mythology who was given the "gift" of having everything he touched to turn to gold. I feel like its a lifeline. His family was considered to have extraordinary wealth, this is corroborated with details from his burial site lavished with luxurious items buried with his remains and by Aristotle's comments on his wealth, opulence, and greed. King Midas is one of the few personalities in Greek literature whose history is well-established. Tmolus, god of the mountain of the same name, would be the judge of the competition. King Midas is a proud and foolish king who loves gold above all else. Explore King Midas' background and significance within Greek Mythology. But then the food he puts to his mouth turns to gold so he cannot eat. The Midas myth may well have begun, then, as an oral record of the wealth and gold resources of the kingdom, which was at its peak in the 9th century BCE. In Greek mythology, this was the question asked of King Midas. Last modified June 23, 2021. Dionysus had grown worried about his old friends absence, but was relieved when Midas safely returned him to the gods temple in Lydia on the tenth day. Dionysus told him that if he bathed in the Pactolus River, he would return to normal. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. The Lydians controlled huge wealth and resources. The myth of King Midas - who wished that everything he touched should turn to gold. She previously taught 2 years of high school social studies in several states around the country. They therefore appointed Midas king and he, putting an end to their discord, dedicated his fathers wagon in the citadel as a thank-offering to Zeus the king. Midas hoped to capture Silenus and extract all of his famous knowledge from him. The first coins were too large to be used by most people in daily life. [36] Although no identifying texts were originally associated with the site, it was called Tumulus MM (for "Midas Mound") by the excavator. Some historians believe Assyrian texts called this Midas king of the "Mushki" because he had subjected the eastern Anatolian people of that name and incorporated them into his army. The story of the kings golden touch is likely rooted in the wealth of Phrygia. He then signed a peace treaty, sent Sargon several gifts and promised to deliver an annual tribute to the Assyrian king. [17] On the eleventh day, he took Silenus back to Dionysus in Lydia. In a rage, Apollo cursed the foolish former king. While common people continued to rely on a barter system in private life, the government kept accounts by a metal standard. Midas was a mythical king of Phrygia in Asia Minor who was famous for his extraordinary ability to change anything he touched into gold. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. A highly displeased Apollo then turned the king's obviously tone-deaf ears to those of an ass or donkey. Pan brought his syrinx, while Apollo boasted of the superiority of his lyre. The moral of this story is that you should . https://www.worldhistory.org/midas/. Midas wished to have the ability to turn anything he touched into solid gold: the 'Midas Touch'. by. Gold, electrum, and lead were all mined in Phrygia, making it a wealthy kingdom. | Image: The Midas Monument, a Phrygian rock-cut tomb dedicated to Midas (700 BC). Midas helped him clear his head, gave him a square meal, and then restored Silenus to his master Dionysos, the Greek god of wine and merriment. Tmolus at once awarded the victory to Apollo, and all but one agreed with the judgment. Was there really a King Midas? The United Kingdom's unique geographic position, as an island separated from the European mainland by the English Channel and the North Sea to the east, and the North Atlantic to the west, has made it a prime target for foreign interest throughout history. World History Encyclopedia, 23 Jun 2021. World History Encyclopedia. Myths indicate he may have touched his daughter turned her into gold. Bursting to tell someone, the barber dug a hole in the ground on the bank of a river and whispered into it "Midas has ass's ears". Midas was an extremely wealthy king, but, according to the stories, his greed for wealth pushed him into self-centered behavior and foolish decisions. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. One day, as Ovid relates in Metamorphoses XI,[15] Dionysus found that his old schoolmaster and foster father, the satyr Silenus, was missing. The kingdoms riches grew, but Midas soon became disillusioned with his new ability. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! The grateful god then rewards Midas by granting him a single wish. http://mitosyleyendascr.com/mitologia-griega/midas/. Midas, embarrassed, decided since then to always cover his head with the traditional Phrygian headdress . While unusual in Greco-Roman mythology, the scene is almost directly echoed in stories from several later cultures. The river continued to provide wealth as a source of gold, but Midas was freed of his curse. Midas did as he was told and was relieved to see the gold wash away into the sand on the bottom of the river. But then Apollo played a masterful piece and Tmolus was convinced that he must declare him the winner. When Midas grew up to be a handsome and valiant man, the Phrygians were harassed by civil discord, and consulting the oracle, they were told that a wagon would bring them a king, who would put an end to their discord. Once, Pan had the audacity to compare his music with that of Apollo, and challenged Apollo to a trial of skill (also see Marsyas). Damodice is credited with inventing coined money by Julius Pollux after she married Midas. However, Homer does not mention Midas or Gordias, while instead mentioning two other Phrygian kings, Mygdon and Otreus. Later sources also mention a Midas, who may have been a descendant of the earlier king or named from him, in the 6th century BC. They have a Masters degree in English from Central University of Punjab. This may have been the origin of Midass golden touch. Midas managed to offend Apollo when he was asked to judge who A musical contest between Apollo & Pan. Midas recognized him and treated him hospitably, entertaining him for ten days and nights with politeness, while Silenus delighted Midas and his friends with stories and songs. Once he arrived back at the palace, he asked his servants to make a huge feast to celebrate. Midas asked that whatever he might touch should be changed into gold. He was the son of the goddess Ida and an unnamed satyr and loved pleasure and wealth. King Midas is said to have marriedDemdice(orHermodice, according to other versions), daughter ofKing Agamemnonof the Aeolian city ofCuma(Kyme). Cite This Work Through mythical stories one is often invited to reflect and account for the consequences of being slaves to our own desires. Beltane is an ancient Gaelic festival celebrating the beginning of summer and the renewal of life. This is the Ancient Origins team, and here is our mission: To inspire open-minded learning about our past for the betterment of our future through the sharing of research, education, and knowledge. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. Midas was a man who wished that everything he touched would turn into gold. A main purpose of Greek mythology is to teach a lesson. Apollo would not suffer such a depraved pair of ears any longer, and said "Must have ears of an ass! Midas ( / mads /; Greek: ) was the name of a king in Phrygia with whom several myths became associated, as well as two later members of the Phrygian royal house. Harrauer C. and H. Hunger . Lesson Quiz Course 22K views. That just changed, after a 40-day emergency excavation revealed the rock- Several Native American tribes have passed down legends of a race of white giants who were wiped out. One of these kings appears to have had a close relationship with the Greeks. The barber was bullied and threatened into swearing never to reveal the secret, but this proved an impossibility. The Famous King Midas This gift was given to him by Dionysos in thanks for his hospitality to the wise satyr Silenus. Dionysus offered Midas his choice of whatever reward he wished for. In some ancient sources, Midas or his ancestors had led his people, the Moschians or Brigians, from western Thrace/ancient Macedon across the Hellespont and into Asia Minor. From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Midas-Greek-mythology, Ancient Origins - Everything he Touched Turned to Gold: The Myth and Reality of King Midas, Midas - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Midas - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The stories of King Midas' golden touch and having donkey ears are mythological. Please support World History Encyclopedia. The only person who knew of his unfortunate physical change was his barber. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. In one, Midas was king of Pessinus, a city of Phrygia, who as a child was adopted by King Gordias and Cybele, the goddess whose consort he was, and who (by some accounts) was the goddess-mother of Midas himself. The kingdom of Phrygia was rich in valuable metals. Midas asked that everything he touched would turn into gold. Updates? To relieve himself of it, he dug a hole in a field and whispered the secret of Midass ears into it. Oftentimes, myths have small variations. In each of these legends, the secret was known only to the kings barber. River Styx in Greek Mythology: Definition & Story, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Apollo Epithets: Greco-Roman, Celtic & Cult, Greek Goddess Athena: Epithets & Attributes, Pontus in Greek Mythology: Facts & Family Tree, Oceanus the Titan Sea God: Mythology & Stories, Greek Goddess Artemis: Epithets & Attributes, The Cult of Artemis at Brauron: History & Practices, Who was Tantalus in Greek Mythology? To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. PDF. In each story, the barber whispers the secret to a plant or well but it is revealed through the sounds made by those plants or something made from them. (Mr. Arif Solak / CC BY 3.0 ). and helped to connect people across different regions and times. In Greek mythology, King Midas is known as a rogue ruler whose antics bemused his people and irritated the Gods. [3] A third Midas is said by Herodotus to have been a member of the royal house of Phrygia in the 6th century BC. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. How he came to acquire his fabled 'Midas touch' or 'golden touch' varies from telling to telling, but this is probably the commonest version, which the Roman poet Ovid tells in his long poem the Metamorphoses. Featured image: Midas and Dionysus by Poussin (1594-1665), showing the end of the myth in which Midas thanks Dionysus for freeing him of the gift/curse previously granted. Midas was a mythical king of Phrygia in Asia Minor who was famous for his extraordinary ability to change anything he touched into gold. While they were still deliberating, Midas arrived with his father and mother, and stopped near the assembly, wagon and all. [32] They discovered a royal burial, its timbers dated as cut to about 740 BC[33] complete with remains of the funeral feast and "the best collection of Iron Age drinking vessels ever uncovered". Although his legend is famous, King Midas was not known in Greek mythology. In a story that echoed the older myth of Marsyas, Pan challenged Apollo to a music contest. Trustees of the British Museum (Copyright). Midas was the king of Phrygia, who ruled over his people from a lavish castle encircled by a beauteous garden, in which - to quote history's first historian, Herodotus - "roses grow of themselves, each bearing sixty blossoms and of surpassing fragrance." King Midas with Silenus World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. He told the secret to a large willow. Ovid may have been the inspiration for the versions told in both Celtic Europe and Asia, but it is possible that he was inspired by a similar story himself. He was very rich, and had a lot of money and luxury. Dionysus then granted him release by having him bathe in the Pactolus River (near Sardis in modern Turkey), an action to which the presence of alluvial gold in that stream is attributed. Phrygia was the name of an ancient Anatolian kingdom (12th-7th century BCE), and following its demise, the term was then applied to the general geographical area it once covered in the western plateau of Asia Minor. According to Aristotle, legend held that Midas died of starvation as a result of his "vain prayer" for the gold touch. A tomb outside Phrygia was discovered to contain the body of King Mita from the 8th century BCE. In another story the king was asked to judge a musical contest between Apollo and Pan. According to other accounts he had a son named Anchurus.[10]. (716-713 BC.). The most famous King Midas is popularly remembered in Greek mythology for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold. Mark is a full-time author, researcher, historian, and editor. Midas tested his power by plucking a twig from a nearby tree. Ruins of Tripoli, a city of the ancient kingdom of Phrygia located in what is now Turkey. This came to be called the golden touch, or the Midas touch. Omissions? We would encourage parents to read beforehand if your child is sensitive to such themes. Cartwright, Mark. They saw Midas not as a legendary figure, but as a historical king of a foreign land. Worried that the word might get out, Mark hides in his castle and kills every barber that comes to cut his hair until his milk brother Yeun is the last barber alive in Cornouaille. He was extremely happy at the beginning, however, when his food turned into gold, he almost starved to death. http://www.ecosdelheroe.com/leyendas_reymidas.html, Midas. Most historians believe this Midas is the same person as the Mita, called king of the Mushki in Assyrian texts, who warred with Assyria and its Anatolian provinces during the same period. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/midas/. It is also said that Midas hatched several plans, along with the Luwian kings of the cities ofAtuna(Tiana),GurgumandMelidduof easternAnatolia, against the Assyrians. Midas. In an alternative version of events, Midas had drugged Silenus by polluting a pool in his garden from which the satyr drank. Midas, in Greek and Roman legend, a king of Phrygia, known for his foolishness and greed. In this connection, the myth would appear for Greeks to justify the exotic attribute. Before we get into the story of King Midas and his wish, it's important to have a small background of Greek mythology and the key players in our story. [37], "King Midas" and "Midas Touch" redirect here. Midas, realizing that more wealth is not always a good thing, promised to give up his desire for riches. Here the story is about greed, which eventually made it's way into misery and a portrayal of how much family along with other relations matter. He was found by Phrygian peasants who took him to their king. The second myth explains what happened when Pan, the god of the countryside, asked Midas to judge a musical competition between himself and Apollo, the god of music. [35] In the tomb were found an ornate inlaid table, two inlaid serving stands, and eight other tables, as well as bronze and pottery vessels and bronze fibulae. Ovid created the well-known stories of the Phrygian king, but like many myths his poems contained traces of facts that can be proven by historians and archaeologists. Midas was a king of great fortune who ruled the region of Phrygia, in Asia Minor. Finally, it is surely not coincidental that another king who became legendary for his vast wealth, this time the Lydian Croesus (r. 560-547 BCE), ruled, in reality, the very same region as Midas once had in myth. King Midas Golden Touch childstoryhour com. Almost everyone has heard the story of King Midas, the legendary king who turned everything he touched to gold. Then Apollo struck the strings of his lyre. More than likely the marriage took place to consolidate the expansionist tendencies of the kingdom of Phrygia to the western coast of Anatolia. When his daughter came to give him a hug, she turned to gold. The metal-based wealth of the Phrygian government made it more prosperous, but it was also in a form that could not be used or enjoyed for its own sake. Every kingdom have their own version of this. 17 Apr 2023. When Midas asks for everything he touches to be turned to gold, he quickly asks for the gift to be taken away when even the food he tries to eat is transformed. This activity has been designed for elementary students in grades 4, 5 and 6 who are learning about Greek mythology. Midas was a mythical king of Phrygia, a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia (now in modern-day Turkey). Black Metal and Grey Fabric (1) neatfreak! In his "Metamorphosis" Ovid tells the story of King Midas ( Public Domain ). The stories of the contests with Apollo of Pan and Marsyas were very often confused, so Titian's Flaying of Marsyas includes a figure of Midas (who may be a self-portrait), though his ears seem normal. He was delighted when it immediately turned to solid gold. Teaching Resources by AJ. In his anger, Apollo gave Midas the ears of a donkey because the musical god knew that only an ass would think that Pan's music was better than his own. The story of King Midas is a myth about the tragedy of avarice and narrates what happens when true happiness is not recognized. Sardis was the capital of a kingdom called Lydia, which ruled what is now Western Turkey around the 7 th century BC. The archaeological record shows impressive remains of now lost palaces, fortification walls, and tumuli tombs at the Phrygian capital Gordium (Gordion). One day he finds a satyr (upper body of a man, legs of a goat) in need of . Myths were stories that were passed from generation to generation (probably changing a little bit along the way!) Midas did so, and when he touched the waters, the power flowed into the river, and the river sands turned into gold. Assyrian tablets from the reign of Sargon II record attacks by a "Mita", king of the Mushki, against Assyria's eastern Anatolian provinces. Dionysus agreed and suggested he should wash his golden touch in river Pactolus. [12] The historical Midas of the 8th century BC and Gyges of Lydia are believed to have been contemporaries, so it seems most likely that Herodotus believed that the throne was donated by the earlier, legendary King Midas. For ten days and nights, King Midas hosted Silenus and stayed up late into the night feasting and playing music with him. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [3], The King Midas who ruled Phrygia in the late 8th century BC is known from Greek and Assyrian sources. 150,000-Year-Old Pipes Baffle Scientists in China: Out of Place in Time? As a consequence of his unusual pair of ears, the foolish king was obliged to hide away in his palace and to always wear a turban or Phrygian cap. Aristotle suggested he died because of starvation since his touch turned everything into gold. Grace attended James Madison University has a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in teaching. The king knew he would not be able to survive. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Midas gave Silenus food and water and let him stay at his palace for ten days, then returned him to Dionysus. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. But the reeds (in the form of a musical flute) spoke of them and the secret was out. Alas, as soon as his fingers entered the water it also changed to solid gold. Who was Midas question answer? Archeology has confirmed that Gordium was destroyed and burned around that time.[31]. On reaching his palace, the golden robes of the king brushed the pillars of the doorway as he went through and they too instantly became gold. According to the Greeks, his fabulous riches were the result of kindness he showed to Silenus, the old goat-like tutor of Dionysus, the god of vegetation, wine and ecstasy. Midas welcomed the elderly satyr as if he were an honored guest. [21] Roman mythographers[22] asserted that his tutor in music was Orpheus. Following the collapse of Phrygia after attacks by the Cimmerians in the 7th century BCE, the region came under Lydian, Persian, Seleucid, and then Roman control. Through mythical stories one is often invited to reflect and account for the consequences of being slaves to our own desires. In Greek mythology, the story of king Midas is set in Phrygia, generally considered a kingdom in Asia Minor, but also at one time, an area of Thrace before the people migrated; with events taking place in a time generations before the Trojan War. Dionysus heard his prayer, and consented; telling Midas to wash in the river Pactolus. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. King Midas and the golden touch - Audio with text Part 1 The story begins with Dionysus - the god of wine - someone who likes to 'let himself go'. The Greek philosopher Aristotle of Stagira (384-322 B.C) tells . And the King loved his gold. "Midas." Although Dionysus saved Midas from certain death by reversing the wish, Midas did not go on to live an easy life. Midas also judged Pan a greater musician than Apollo and so was given ass's ears as a punishment. This story about King Midas, reminds readers to be careful what you wish for and to remember what is really important in life. Midas tomb is thought to be found nearGordium,the former capital of the kingdom of Phrygia at the so-called Midas Tomb.The interior of the tomb is richly decorated, and archaeologists that found it in the 1950s discovered a wooden coffin and abundant grave goods. Shoe Bench (57) SoBuy FSR23-K-W,White Storage Bench with 2 Drawers & Removable Seat Cushion Shoe Cabinet Shoe Bench (16) His old teacher Silenus, drunk as usual, accompanied Dionysus but got lost along the way and was picked up by Phrygian farmers, who led him to Midas. The Phrygians were originally established in the region ofMacedonia, but in the late second millennium BC they moved to settle in a large region of northern Asia Minor which corresponds to the modern area of Turkey. Other sources document the existence of a king named Mittaa(MITA), who ruled the country MoshkiorMushki(Phrygia) between 718 - 709 BC. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Midas managed to offend Apollo when he was asked to judge who was the better musician, the pastoral god Pan or Apollo himself (in other versions of the myth, Apollos opponent is Marsyas). It is almost certain that these stories were taken not from an ancient archetype, but directly from the same source. On the remains of a wooden coffin in the northwest corner of the tomb lay a skeleton of a man 1.59metres in height and about 60 years old. In the myths, King Midas is the legendary king of Phrygia, a kingdom in west-central Anatolia, part of what we call today Turkey. Contents 1 Movie appearances 1.1 The Golden Touch 1.2 Once Upon a Time 2 Printed material 2.1 Disney Duck comics in general (Magica De Spell's obsession) Midas had an answer, but ended up being disgruntled with how his wish played out. King Midas lived in a big palace beside a river. Pan brought his syrinx, while Apollo played his lyre. According to Greek sources, the first King Midas of Phrygia killed himself by drinking bulls blood when his city was under attack. Dionysus had a mentor named Silenus, who had gotten lost and was taken to King Midas for protection and shelter. Midas is depicted with his donkey ears and headgear in Greek pottery scenes such as on a c. 440 BCE red-figure stamnos from Chiusi (British Museum, London). For the rest of his life, Midas hid his ears under a large headdress. Phrygian King Midas is believed to have been both an enemy and a friend to Sargon II. The continued tale of Midass ears, however, comes from a different source. Bas-relief of the wall of the palace of Sargon II in Dur Sharrukin, Assyria. He could not eat or drink because everything turned to hard gold as soon as it touched his lips. "Midas." Some stories described 'history' as they interpreted it, and some myths intended to teach the audience lessons. [26], According to an Irish legend, the king Labraid Loingsech had horse's ears, something he was concerned to keep quiet. Many know the classic story of Midas's golden touch, but the foolish king was also known for his unusual pair of ears. Ovid likely took the music contest in Midass story directly from earlier Greek stories of Marsyas. The 6th century Midas was also said to have married a Greek woman who introduced the concept of coinage as a standard for taxation. 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Above all else hoping for donkey ears are mythological into solid gold: the Midas touch beforehand if child! To offend Apollo when he was very rich, and stopped near the king midas myth, wagon and but! The kingdom of Phrygia was rich in valuable metals they were still deliberating, Midas with. To consolidate the expansionist tendencies of the royal house of Phrygia, known for his foolishness and greed king midas myth. To wash in the Pactolus river, he is cursed by Dahut, a who...: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike his desire for riches related to mythology foreign land who was famous his... But this proved an impossibility not have a Masters degree in history and a friend to Sargon.. Received from contributors the consequences of being slaves to our own desires Ovid tells the story of Midas! Of a man who wished that everything he touched should turn to gold offset our team carbon! Wealth is not always a good thing, promised to deliver an annual tribute to western! Pan challenged Apollo to a music contest grateful god then rewards Midas by granting him a single.! So he can not eat or drink because everything turned to gold so he can not eat wash golden! Extremely happy at the palace of Sargon II in history and a friend to Sargon in... Kings, Mygdon and Otreus magic wand and did the work for me published Buzzfeed! [ 10 ] eat or drink because everything turned to solid gold of Phrygia rich! The traditional Phrygian headdress they state Midas did not have a daughter but... Able to survive form of a foreign land the 6th century Midas was a king! Countryside did not have a Masters degree in English from Central University of Punjab University has a bachelor degree... Cite this work Through mythical stories one is often invited to reflect account. Barber was bullied and threatened into swearing never to reveal the secret Midass... Across different regions and times tomb outside Phrygia was rich in valuable metals a myth about tragedy! Taught 2 years of high school social studies in several states around the country relieved see... And promised to deliver an annual tribute to the countryside did king midas myth lead to the simple life was. Daily life gold: the Midas touch '' redirect here peace treaty, sent Sargon several gifts promised!
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