Gordion

• Location: Turkey
• Variant names: Gordium

Ruins. Named after its founder, Gordius, a poor farmer who, according to legend, migrated here in a wooden cart, thus fulfilling the oracle's prophesy and becoming king. The yoke of his cart was tied to the shaft by a most complicated knot. The legend claims that it could only be undone by the future conqueror of Asia. Alexander III the Great^†, keen to be just that, was shown the cart on his arrival in the town, the key road-junction in central Anatolia, in 333 bc. Instead, apparently, of trying to untie the knot, Alexander cut through it with his sword. Thus, 'to cut the Gordian knot' is to solve a difficult problem with decisive and bold action.

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