MIDAS AS THE GREAT KING IN ATTIC FIFTH-CENTURY VASE-PAINTING

Midas, the mythical king of Phrygia, was known to classical Athenians for three things: he was very wealthy; he had the ears of an ass; he once captured Silenos. This he managed by filling a spring with wine and making Silenos drunk. In this way Midas sought to gain wisdom; he was rewarded with the insight that it was best for mortals never to have been born, and next best to die as soon as possible1. Attic vase painters had started depicting Midas' encounter with Silenos before the mid sixth century B.C. Some twenty vessels remain, each depicting one of three phases of the tale: Silenos ambushed, Silenos led by his captors, Silenos presented to the enthroned Midas2. Illustrations