Gordian Knot

• Cutting the Gordian Knot is a metaphor for solving an intractable problem with a very simple solution.

Alexander the Great

• In local Legend, whilst Phrygia was without a King, an Oracle had foretold that the next man to enter the city on an ox cart would become king.
• A peasant named Gordias was the first to drive in to the city and in gratitude for being made King, he dedicated his cart to the local God and tied it safely with a highly complicated knot.
• Alexander the Great had heard that the next Ruler of all Asia would be the man who could unravel the Knot that Gordias had used to tie up the ox cart.
• Unable to unravel it, he decided to cut it with his sword. Some Sources such as Plutarch and Arrian stated that he pulled it apart. Either way, Alexander went on to conquer Asia.