Difference between revisions of "Gordian knot"
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A Gordian knot (GOR-dee-un NAHT) is a problem apparently unsolvable due to its complexity. It is based on Roman mythology. A mythical peasant named Gordius became king of Gordium in Phrygia. He dedicated his wagon to Jupiter and tied it to a beam with an intricate knot. Many centuries later, Alexander the Great discovered the knot and supposedly learned that he could not conquer Asia unless he first untied the knot. Alexander solved the problem his own way, by using his sword simply to cut the knot in half. | A Gordian knot (GOR-dee-un NAHT) is a problem apparently unsolvable due to its complexity. It is based on Roman mythology. A mythical peasant named Gordius became king of Gordium in Phrygia. He dedicated his wagon to Jupiter and tied it to a beam with an intricate knot. Many centuries later, Alexander the Great discovered the knot and supposedly learned that he could not conquer Asia unless he first untied the knot. Alexander solved the problem his own way, by using his sword simply to cut the knot in half. | ||
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Revision as of 19:52, July 23, 2007
A Gordian knot (GOR-dee-un NAHT) is a problem apparently unsolvable due to its complexity. It is based on Roman mythology. A mythical peasant named Gordius became king of Gordium in Phrygia. He dedicated his wagon to Jupiter and tied it to a beam with an intricate knot. Many centuries later, Alexander the Great discovered the knot and supposedly learned that he could not conquer Asia unless he first untied the knot. Alexander solved the problem his own way, by using his sword simply to cut the knot in half.