The burial mound of King Midas is also in Gordion. He was a true historical Phrygian king who reigned during the 8th century BC, but there are legends associated with his name, including "the golden touch." We are pictured here with our Turkish friend, Meric, in front of his burial mound. There is a fine museum with Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Greek, Hellenistic, Roman and Slejik Turk treasures from nearby excavations. The coins found here indicate this was an important commercial and military center for many centuries.
Now the area is surrounded by grassy plains on which hay, melons and sunflowers are grown. Gypsies work as seasonal laborers and are camped near the village.
On the way home we visited Polatli, site of an important military battle in the Turkish War of Independence. The Greeks had captured the city, only an hour from Turkey's capital, Ankara. Ataturk commanded his troops not just to fight but to die for their country, and they were able to turn the Greeks back. There is a dramatic monument on a hilltop with a moving museum.
What a great outing!