King Midas

King Midas is a figure from Greek mythology who is popularly remembered for his ability to turn everything he touched into gold -- the Midas touch. The story of King Midas was recorded in Ovid's Metamorphoses XI, completed in 8 A.D. In Ovid's version of the story, King Midas discovers the satyr Silenus, who has been missing after a night of drinking. Midas entertains Silenus and then returns him to Silenus' son Dionysus, the god of wine. Grateful, Dionysus grants Midas the magical power to turn everything that he touches into gold. Midas is pleased with the gift, until he finds that he can't eat or drink without the food turning into gold in his hands. In a version told by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Midas turns his daughter into a golden statue as well. Midas prays to Dionysus for relief, and washes his power away in the river Pactolus.