In Greek mythology, the king said to turn everything he touched into gold was King Midas.
The story of the golden touch says that Dionysus granted Midas a wish after the king showed kindness to the god’s companion Silenus. Midas asked that everything he touched become gold. At first, the power seemed wonderful, but food and drink also changed into gold, making the gift impossible to enjoy.
Midas begged for the power to be removed. In the best-known version, Dionysus told him to wash in the Pactolus River. The river then carried away the curse, and the myth was used to explain the presence of gold in the river’s sands.
Midas is also associated with the story of the ass’s ears, awarded by Apollo after Midas judged a musical contest in favor of Pan. These tales involve the same legendary king but are separate episodes.