Gordias
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The kings of Phrygia in the mythic period of prehistory were alternately named Gordias and Midas. Myth gathered round both names:
- Gordias was a Phrygian farmer. An eagle landed on his plough; a sign he interpreted to mean he would one day become a king. The oracle of Sabazios (identified by Greeks with Zeus) confirmed his future in the following manner: the Phrygians, finding themselves without a king, consulted the oracle and were told to acclaim as king the first man to ride up to the temple in a cart. It was the farmer Gordias who appeared, riding in his ox-cart. Gordias founded the city of Gordium, which became the Phrygian capital. His ox-cart was preserved in the acropolis. Its yoke was secured with an intricate knot called the Gordian Knot. Legend said that he who could unravel it would be master of 'Asia' which was equated at the time with Anatolia. Instead, Alexander the Great sliced the knot in half with his sword, in 333 BCE.
- 'With' Cybele or under her patronage as Great Mother goddess of Phrygia, Gordias adopted Midas.
- A later Gordias was a Phrygian king, the father with Eurynome of Adrastus. Adrastus accidentally killed his own brother and had to flee to Lycia.