Sculpture may be part of King Midas’ lost throne, scientist says

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — A 9-inch ivory sculpture found decades ago in Greece may be part of the lost throne of King Midas, a University of Pennsylvania archaeologist said.

The throne belonging to the king, whose wealth inspired the myth that he could turn anything he touched into gold, disappeared around 400 B.C.

Keith DeVries, an associate curator at the university’s Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, said Wednesday that he believes the ivory statuette of a lion tamer once adorned Midas’ seat of power.

The sculpture was found in 1939 in Delphi, Greece, but historians have been unable to agree on its origin.

Midas lived between 725 and 675 B.C. in central Turkey and was king of the Phrygians. Ancient texts said he gave away his throne as an offering to the Greek god Apollo.

DeVries has spent years studying the site where Midas lived in the Phrygian capital of Gordion. He has also examined the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus, who claimed to have seen the throne at Delphi three centuries after the king’s death.

DeVries said the sculpture appears to be Phrygian, produced in Gordion around the time that Midas was alive, and bears markings on its back indicating that it was once attached to something else.

He said the piece was found near the Corinthian Treasury in Delphi, the same place where Herodotus claimed to have seen the Midas throne in the fifth century.

"It all adds up to a strong case," he said, "that the statuette once was attached to the king’s throne."

DeVries plans to present his findings Saturday at the annual meeting of the Archaeological Institute of America in Philadelphia.