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Who created the Gordian knot?
A peasant farmer named Gordias drove into town on an ox-cart and was immediately declared king. Out of gratitude, his son Midas dedicated the ox-cart to the Phrygian god Sabazios (whom the Greeks identified with Zeus) and tied it to a post with an intricate knot of cornel bark (Cornus mas).
What was the legend of the Gordian knot?
Greek Legend of the Gordian Knot A poor peasant named Gordius arrived in the public square with his wife, an ox-cart and, indeed, he was declared King. In gratitude to the gods, he dedicated his ox-cart to Zeus, tying it to a post with a highly intricate knot, later known as a Gordian Knot.
What did Alexander the Great do with the Gordian knot?
In the popular account, probably invented as appropriate to an impetuous warrior, Alexander sliced through the knot with his sword, but, in earlier versions, he found the ends either by cutting into the knot or by drawing out the pole.
Who Solved the Gordian knot?
Alexander the Great
Centuries later, when Alexander the Great arrived on the scene, he was told that he couldn’t conquer and rule Asia unless he proved himself worthy by untying the knot. Alexander quickly solved his problem—and gained a new kingdom—by slicing the knot in half with his sword.
Did the Gordian knot exist?
We now use the phrase “Gordian knot” to refer to any problem that seems too complicated to resolve. According to ancient Greek legend, however, it was a real knot. The problem of untying the Gordian knot resisted all solutions until the year 333 BC, when Alexander the Great cut through it with a sword.
Who cut the knot?
| Alexander Bogomolny | |
|---|---|
| Institutions | Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics, Hebrew University , Ben Gurion University, University of Iowa |
| Thesis | ‘A New Numerical Solution for the Stamp Problem’ (PhD, 1981) |
| Doctoral advisor | Gregory I. Eskin |
| Website | cut-the-knot.org |
Was the Gordian knot real?
The term “Gordian knot,” commonly used to describe a complex or unsolvable problem, can be traced back to a legendary chapter in the life of Alexander the Great. As the story goes, in 333 B.C. the Macedonian conqueror marched his army into the Phrygian capital of Gordium in modern day Turkey.
Where did Alexander cut the Gordian knot?
Gordium
In this companion to “Alexander the Great at the Tomb of Achilles” (Walters 37.510), the Macedonian ruler and general has entered the town of Gordium (in present-day Turkey) in 344 BC. In that city was the chariot of Gordius, the father of the legendary King Midas.
Is the Gordian knot real?
What knot is impossible to untie?
The constrictor knot
The constrictor knot is one of the most effective binding knots. Simple and secure, it is a harsh knot that can be difficult or impossible to untie once tightened.
Did Alexander cut the Gordian knot?
The problem of untying the Gordian knot resisted all attempted solutions until the year 333 B.C., when Alexander the Great — not known for his lack of ambition when it came to ruling Asia — cut through it with a sword.