MARSYAS

legendary Greek figure of Anatolian origin. According to the usual Greek version, Marsyas found the oboe that the goddess Athena had invented and, after becoming skilled in playing it, challenged Apollo to a contest with his lyre. When King Midas of Phrygia, who had been appointed judge, declared in favour of Marsyas, Apollo punished Midas by changing his ears into ass's ears. In another version the Muses were the judges, and they awarded the victory to Apollo, who tied Marsyas to a tree and flayed him. In Rome a statue of Marsyas, a favourite art subject, stood in the Forum; this was imitated by Roman colonies and came to be considered a symbol of autonomy.