Pactolus is a river near the Aegean coast of
Turkey. The river rises from
Mount Tmolus, flows through the ruins of the ancient city of
Sardis, and empties into the
Gediz River, the ancient
Hermus. The Pactolus once contained
electrum that was the basis of the economy of the ancient state of
Lydia. According to legend, King
Midas divested himself of the golden touch by washing himself in the river.