Thracius Midas. Tradizioni antiche su spostamenti di popoli tra la Frigia e la Tracia

The ancient regions of Thrace in Europe and Phrygia in Asia are characterized by an intense exchange of peoples and wares, which is well documented in the archaeological findings. The same strong connection is attested in the ancient (mostly Greek) traditions of a remote migration of the Phrygians (formerly called Brygians) from Europe to Asia Minor. This study aims to analyse these traditions, starting from the first mention of them as “Macedonian” in Hdt. 7. 73. It is argued that the migration of the Brygians to Asia Minor and the mythical episode of Midas and Silenus in Europe first existed as two separate narrative units, whose historical scenario can be recognized in the strong intertwining of the Thracian ethnos on both sides of the Propontis. The dislocation of the Brygian heartland and of the so-called “Midas’ Gardens” from Thrace to Macedonia is only a later adaptation of a pre-existing tradition, and follows the Hellenizing cultural claims of Alexander I of Macedon.