Then he subdued the Pisidians who made head against him, and conquered
the Phrygians, at whose chief city, Gordium, which is said to be the seat
of the ancient Midas, he saw the famous chariot fastened with cords made
of the rind of the cornel-tree, which whosoever should untie, the inhabitants
had a tradition, that for him was reserved the empire of the world. Most
authors tell the story that Alexander finding himself unable to untie the
knot, the ends of which were secretly twisted round and folded up within
it, cut it asunder with his sword. But Aristobulus tells us it was easy
for him to undo it, by only pulling the pin out of the pole, to which the
yoke was tied, and afterwards drawing off the yoke itself from below. From
hence he advanced into Paphlagonia and Cappadocia, both which countries
he soon reduced to obedience, and then hearing of the death of Memnon,
the best commander Darius had upon the sea-coasts, who, if he had lived,
might, it was supposed, have put many impediments and difficulties in the
way of the progress of his arms, he was the rather encouraged to carry
the war into the upper provinces of Asia.
Gordium,
Plutarch