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Alexander of Macedonia, son of King
Philip II of Macedon, was born into privilege. Legend has it that a Persian Magi,
upon viewing the flames engulfing the temple of Artemis on the evening of Alexander’s
birth ran through the streets shouting that woe and great calamity for Asia had been
born that day. Philip, shaken by the incident, consulted the Oracle at Delphi for assurances about his newborn son. The Oracle
at Delphi assured Philip
that Alexander would one day be a great ruler.
Alexander at a young age learned
all the skills
of war, but became known
as somewhat of a precocious child prodigy. Growing up in the king’s court, Philip
was constantly surrounded by intrigue and suspense. Plans and threats of conquest
filled his youth. Philip, wanting the best for his son, sent Alexander to study with
Aristotle. Here, Alexander added to his martial skills the accumulated knowledge
of his day.
In May 333 B.C. Alexander faced a
crucial decision concerning his Persian conquests. Lacking reinforcements, his men
ragged, and with Macedonia poverty stricken from funding his war effort, Alex waited
near Gordium for inspiration from the gods. Upon resolving
to continue his campaign, Alex was halted by his personal seer
just before leaving the city. To depart without attempting the Gordian Knot
would cause bad luck to befall his armies. Alexander had to attempt the puzzle.
Making his way to the acropolis ,
Alexander was followed by a great crowd. Anxious, they gathered to see the great
king struggle with their famed
puzzle as all had before
him. The townspeople were not disappointed. For nearly two hours Alex racked his
brain for a solution.
Finally, in a fit of frustration he
asked of his advisors, "What does it matter how I loose it." He drew his
sword and, in a single spinning flourish,
sliced the Gordian
Knot open to reveal the ends
hidden inside.
That night a wicked storm descended
upon Gordium
. Thunder raged and lightning crackled.
Oracles
and soothsayers gathered around. Alexander
and the seers interpreted the storm as a sign that Zeus was pleased and would grant
Alexander’s armies victory. The next day Alexander left Gordium
and conquered the world.
Alexander solved his puzzle by approaching
it in a new way. He was innovative. He was a thinker and a strategist, deserving
of victory. The oracle
had foretold that he who "luein the knot" would conquer. True to form as
oracles are today, the oracle’s prediction was ambiguous.
In ancient Greek, the word luein meant "loosen" and "untie" and
"unfasten." It also meant "solve" and "resolve" and
"break up" and "cut" and "sunder." Everybody chose
to interpret the oracle
in the most obvious manner. Everyone
except Alexander. He alone questioned the rote of loosening a knot without ends.
The rest is history.
Gordian Solutions are contrary approaches to persistent or
perplexing problems
. Magic happens for those that see things
in new ways. Gordian warriors cut through problems .
They forge ahead. They apply intellect and look for innovative ways to seek advantage.
A Gordian
Solution yields victory.
For this reason, the legend of the Gordian
Knot, lives on in the Kingdom of Gordian,. Our modern warriors now wield sharp
answers to the knotty business
problems of today.
So, when facing a knotty business
problem involving puzzling
technology, seek a Gordian
Solution to achieve a decisive
advantage for your business.
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