Ancient Greek and Roman Myths Notes

Midas was the King of Phrygia and a hero of several legends. One of them, told by Ovid in his Metamorphoses, says that for a service the god Dionysus (Bacchus) granted Midas a wish. Midas wished that anything he touched should turn into gold. The god fulfilled his fancy. But very soon Midas bitterly regretted: absolutely everything turned into gold, he could neither eat, nor drink. Midas begged Dionysus to take away the gift. Dionysus agreed and told Midas to wash in the spring at the source of the river Pactolus. Midas did so and was at once freed from the “gift”.
See: Poussin Midas Bathing in Pactolus. Midas and Bacchus.