The Gordian Knot

Alexander did not stay long in Caria. Marching on, he soon came to the city of Gordium in Phrygia, where Midas had once ruled. In one of the temples, the people proudly showed Alexander the cart in which this king had ridden when he entered their city. The yoke was fastened to the pole by a rope tied in a peculiar and very intricate knot. An ancient prophecy declared that whoever untied the Gordian knot would surely become master of all Asia.

Since Alexander had set his heart on conquering the whole world, he looked at this knot with great interest. But after a few moments of careful examination, he felt sure that he would not be able to untie it. Rather than give up, however, Alexander drew his sword and cut the knot with a single quick stroke. Ever since then, when a person has solved a difficulty by bold or violent means instead of patiently working through it, people say that he has "cut the Gordian knot," in memory of this feat of Alexander's.

From Gordium, Alexander next moved on to Tarsus, which also submitted to him. Shortly after that, the young conqueror nearly lost his life. He had been out in the hot sun and had become terribly overheated when he came to the river Cydnus. This stream was a rushing torrent with very cold water. In spite of all his attendants could say, Alexander insisted on taking a bath in it. The sudden chill brought on a cramp, and he would have drowned if some of his men had not plunged into the water and pulled him out. His recklessness brought on a serious illness, and for a short time Alexander's life was in grave danger.

His physician was Philip, a Greek doctor who had attended him since he was born and now took great care of him. When the fever was at its worst, Philip said he hoped to save the king with a strong medicine he was going to prepare. Just after Philip went out to brew this potion, Alexander received a letter warning him to beware of his physician, because the man had been bribed by the Persian king, Darius III, to poison him. After reading the letter, Alexander slipped it under his pillow and calmly waited for his doctor's return. When Philip brought the cup containing the remedy, Alexander took it in one hand and gave him the letter with the other. Then, while Philip read the accusation, Alexander drank every drop of the medicine. When the physician saw the letter, he turned pale and looked up at his master, who smilingly handed back the empty cup.

Alexander's great trust in his doctor was fully justified, for the medicine cured him, and he soon recovered enough to continue his conquests.