King Midas and the Gordian knot are only the beginning of Phrygia's story. This illustrated history reconstructs the Iron Age kingdom from the citadel of Gordion, royal tumuli, preserved timber chambers, bronze feasting vessels, inscriptions, rural production and sacred highland monuments. It follows Phrygia from the post-Hittite plateau through Mita's diplomacy with Assyria, the Cimmerian crisis and rule by Lydia, Persia, Alexander's successors and Rome. Archaeology, scientific dating and critically read ancient texts separate evidence from legend while restoring craftspeople, farmers, worshippers and regional communities to the centre of the account.