This is the first of two volumes presenting the results of the Melbourne
archaeological project at Pessinus in Central Anatolia. The opening
chapters discuss the cult of Cybele, the Great Mother Goddess of
Anatolia, Midas, the semi-mythical king of Phrygia and Pessinus, the
relationship between them, Midas as seen from Assyrian sources, etc.
Three others examine two Anatolian archaeological sites (Dorylaion and
Zey) that have yielded comparative material and thus clarified the
picture we have of Pessinus. Further chapters focus on Pessinus itself.
The final chapter outlines the work of the previous excavators at
Pessinus: a team from Ghent University.
The volume is
dedicated to the memory of the late Prof. Taciser Tüfekçi Sivas, a
contributor to it, who was not only one of the most prominent scholars
of Phrygia but also a source of great help and encouragement to the
project.