Phrygia, a country in Asia Minor, the extent and boundaries of which varied very much at different periods of ancient history. In prehistoric ages it is believed to have comprised the greater part of the peninsula, but at the time of the Persian invasion it was limited to the districts known as Lesser Phrygia and Greater Phrygia—the former stretching along the shores of the Propontis and the Hellespont to Troas (afterwards part of Mysia), the latter occupying the centre of Asia Minor. Phrygia was in general a high and somewhat barren plateau, though its pastures supported immense flocks of sheep, noted for the fineness of their wool. The most fertile part was the valley of the Sangarius, but the most beautiful and populous district was the south-west, at the base of the Taurus, where the Mæander and other streams had their rise. The mountains and streams yielded gold; Phrygian marble was anciently celebrated, and the cultivation of the vine appears to have been extensively carried on. The Phrygians were apparently closely related to the Armenians, and have left their traces in almost all parts of Asia Minor. Later they were forced within narrower limits by the intrusion of Semitic and other aliens—Lydians, Carians, Thracians. In the 6th century Cærus conquered all that was left of Phrygia, and in 549 he succumbed to the Persians. The influence of Phrygian religion on Greek mythology seems to have been great. Among their deities were Men or Manes, Cybele, and Athys; and Phrygia was a great centre of orgiastic worship and celebrations.
See W. M. Ramsay, The Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia (1895-97). For the Phrygian Mode, see HARMONY; for the Phrygian cap, see BONNET.