History of the Gordian Knot

rocktupac · Post by **rocktupac** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:01 am

Alexander's visit to the Gordian knot is one of my favorite stories. It's classic Alexander. Though many have argued whether or not the knot was either cut or simply untied, all of the extant writers (as far as I know) agree that Alexander did in fact at least visit Gordium; and I believe Diodorus is the only one who fails to mention the knot. I love the image of Alexander stepping up to the legendary knot, gazing upon it with interest, and, with great gusto, slashing the strands of cornel bark thus telling the world he was destined to be Lord of Asia. It's almost magical.

But what I'm having problems with is locating the legend of the Gordian knot, or even its existence, outside of Diodorus, Curtius, Justin/Trogus, Plutarch or Arrian. Or more precise, does the story of the Gordian knot exist apart from the Alexander histories? I've searched high and low, far and wide, and haven't been able to locate another reference to it in any ancient writings before Alexander's visit to it.

Can someone help me here? Am I simply overlooking the obvious source? Any Thucydides or Herodotus experts out there that can clue me in?

agesilaos · Post by **agesilaos** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:09 pm

As far as I know the story is only in the Alexander historians; it is not in Herodotos nor Xenophon or even Ctesias there must have been a local tradition but we have no earlier reference to it.

athenas owl · Post by **athenas owl** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:59 pm

I'd be really curious...there seems to be some connection to Macedonia through Midas...

Perhaps this is one of those stories that had some connection for the Macedonians, a deeper connection for them and all we have is the end tale...Alexander cutting the knot.

amyntoros · Post by **amyntoros** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:14 pm

There's an article by Ernest A. Fredricksmeyer, "Alexander, Midas, and the Oracle at Gordium", Classical Philology 56.3 (July 1961, pp. 160-168). It covers just about everything there is to know regarding the Macedonian connection with Midas and the local legend of the knot, etc.

Anyone feel free to send me your email address via PM if you are interested.

Best regards,