Gordian knot facts for kids
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The Gordian Knot is a famous legend connected to Alexander the Great. It's often used as a way to describe a problem that seems impossible to solve easily. When someone "cuts the Gordian Knot," it means they found a quick and clever solution to a very difficult problem.
The Story of the Gordian Knot
Long ago, in a place called Phrygia (which is now part of Turkey), people believed a special prophecy. It said that whoever could untie a very tricky knot would become the ruler of all Asia. This knot was kept in a city called Gordium, and that's why it's known as the Gordian Knot. It was said that a man named Gordius had created it.
The knot itself was very complex and tangled. It was tied around the pole of an old wooden wagon. Many people tried to untie it, but no one could figure out how.
Then came Alexander the Great, a young and brilliant military leader. He heard about the prophecy and the impossible knot.
Alexander's Solution
According to the most famous traditional version of the story, Alexander didn't try to untie the knot in the usual way. Instead, he simply pulled out his sword and cut the knot in half with one swift strike! This was a totally unexpected way to solve the problem.
There is another version of the story too. In this version, Alexander looked closely at the knot. He noticed that the wooden pole at the center of the knot could be removed. By taking out this central piece, the knot simply fell apart. This was also a clever and unexpected solution.
No matter which version is true, Alexander solved the problem in a way no one had thought of before. After this, he went on to lead his Greek armies. He conquered a huge part of the known world, just as the prophecy had foretold.
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Images for kids
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Alexander the Great cuts the Gordian Knot by Jean-Simon Berthélemy (1743–1811)
