Gordium

views updated May 09 2018

Gordium an ancient city of Asia Minor (now NW Turkey), the capital of Phrygia in the 8th and 9th centuries bc. According to legend the city was founded by Gordius, who tied the knot cut by Alexander the Great during his expedition of 334 bc.
cut the Gordian knot solve or remove a problem in a direct or forceful way, rejecting gentler or more indirect methods. The expression comes from the legend that Gordius, king of Gordium, tied an intricate knot and prophesied that whoever untied it would become the ruler of Asia. It was cut through with a sword by Alexander the Great.