At Gordium in Phrygia, the old capital…

At Gordium in Phrygia, the old capital of the Phrygian kings (themselves, as stated above, ultimately of alleged Macedonian origin) tradition records Alexander’s “breaking” of the Gordian knot, or fastening, of an ancient chariot, which can only be loosed by the man who is to rule Asia; but this story may be apocryphal or at least distorted.

Alexander cuts it instead—or perhaps pulls out the pole pin, as one tradition insists.

At this point, Alexander benefits from the sudden death of Memnon of Rhodes.

From Gordium, …