| 释义 |
Gordian
Thesaurus| Adj. | 1. | Gordian - extremely intricate; usually in phrase `Gordian knot'complex - complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts; "a complex set of variations based on a simple folk melody"; "a complex mass of diverse laws and customs" |
TranslationsGordian
cut the Gordian knotTo solve a very challenging or daunting problem decisively. The phrase likely alludes to Gordius, the king of Phrygia, who tied a knot that an oracle proclaimed would only be cut by the future ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great allegedly cut the Gordian knot in one blow. A: "Wait, Matt already solved that impossible equation?" B: "Yes! I have no idea how he did it, but he sure cut the Gordian knot."See also: cut, Gordian, knotGordian knotA complicated problem that can only be solved with creative or unorthodox thinking. In Greek and Roman mythology, King Gordian tied such a complex knot that only Alexander the Great was able to loosen it by cutting it with his sword. Trying to remove the gum from my daughter's hair turned into quite the Gordian knot. Ultimately, it was just easier to cut the tangled mess out of her hair. The coding problem looked like a Gordian knot until we realized we could bypass it altogether with a different approach.See also: Gordian, knotcut the Gordian knot LITERARYIf someone cuts the Gordian knot, they deal with a difficult situation in a quick, forceful and effective way. Mr Sandler cut the Gordian knot that was strangling the market. Note: Verbs such as break, untie and untangle are sometimes used instead of cut. Which country should make the first move to untie the Gordian knot? Note: Gordian knot is used to describe a problem that is very difficult to solve. The federal deficit has become the Gordian knot of Washington. He found himself tied up in a real emotional Gordian Knot. Note: According to an ancient legend, Gordius, the king of Phrygia, tied a knot that nobody could untie. It was said that if anyone untied it, they would become the next ruler of Asia. When Alexander the Great heard this, he solved the problem by cutting through the knot with a sword. See also: cut, Gordian, knotcut the Gordian knot solve or remove a problem in a direct or forceful way, rejecting gentler or more indirect methods. The knot referred to is that with which Gordius, king of ancient Phrygia (in Asia Minor), fastened the yoke of his wagon to the pole. Its complexity was such that it gave rise to the legend that whoever could undo it would become the ruler of Asia. When Alexander the Great passed that way en route to conquer the East he is said simply to have severed the knot with his sword.See also: cut, Gordian, knotcut/untie the ˌGordian ˈknot solve a very difficult or complicated problem with forceful action: Will the negotiators be able to untie the Gordian knot?This expression comes from the legend in which King Gordius tied a very complicated knot and said that whoever untied it would become the ruler of Asia. Alexander the Great cut through the knot with his sword.See also: cut, Gordian, knotcut the Gordian knot, toTo get out of trouble by taking a single decisive step. According to legend, Gordius, a peasant who became king of Phrygia, dedicated his wagon to the god Jupiter and tied the yoke to a tree with such a difficult knot that no one could unfasten it. Alexander the Great was told that whoever could untie the wagon would rule all Asia, whereupon he simply cut the knot with his sword. Many writers have alluded to this myth, among them Shakespeare (“Turn him to any cause of policy, the Gordian Knot of it he will unloose”), in HenryV (1.1). It has been a cliché since about 1800 but is seldom heard today.See also: cut, GordianGordian knotA difficult problem that can be solved by an unexpected and simple method. According to an old Greek legend, a poor peasant named Gordius appeared in the public square of Phrygia in an ox cart. Since an oracle had prophesized that the future king would ride into town in a wagon, Gordius was made ruler. In gratitude, Gordius dedicated his ox cart to Zeus and tied the cart to a pole with a highly intricate knot, whereupon an oracle foretold that whosoever untied the knot would rule all of Asia. Although many tried in vain to untie the knot, it took Alexander the Great to do so, which he did with one cut of his sword. That might not have been the method that Gordius or the oracle had in mind, but it was good enough to enable Alexander to conquer most of Asia as well as a large chunk of the rest of the known world.See also: Gordian, knotGordian
Gordian (gôr`dēən), name of three Roman emperors. Gordian I (Marcus Antonius Gordianus Africanus), d. 238, was a Roman of great wealth and was colleague in the consulship with Caracalla and with Alexander Severus, who appointed him proconsul in Africa. After the usurpation of MaximinMaximin
(Caius Julius Verus Maximinus) , d. 238, Roman emperor (235–38). A rough Thracian soldier of great physical strength, he rose in the army, and when the soldiers revolted against Alexander Severus, they proclaimed Maximin emperor at Mainz.
..... Click the link for more information. (d. 238), a rebellion broke out in Africa over the unscrupulous behavior of one of Maximin's men, and Gordian at the age of 81 was made coemperor (238) with his son. They were recognized by the Roman senate. Soon afterward, however, Vitallianus, a partisan of Maximin, attacked them in Carthage. Gordian I committed suicide, ending a reign of only 22 days, after learning that his son and colleague, Gordian II, 192–238, had been killed in battle. The senate named two new emperors, Balbinus and Pupienus. Gordian II's son, Gordian III, c.223–244, was made caesar. Balbinus and Pupienus defeated and killed Maximin but were soon murdered by the Praetorian Guard, whereupon Gordian III became emperor (238–44). In 242, Gordian attacked the Persians in Mesopotamia. His forces inflicted several defeats on them, but his best general, his father-in-law Timesitheus, died. The troops became disorderly, and PhilipPhilip
or Philip the Arabian
(Marcus Julius Philippus), 204?–249, Roman emperor (244–49). He served under Gordian III against the Persians, instigated the assassination of the emperor, and concluded a peace with Persia.
..... Click the link for more information. (Philip the Arabian) had Gordian murdered.Gordian in ancient Rome: Gordian I (Marcus Antonius Gordianus). Born A.D. 159; died 238, in Carthage. Emperor in 238. Descended from the family of the Gracchi. He was a praetor, consul (several times), and proconsul in several provinces of the Roman Empire. In 238, when he was proconsul of the province of Africa, at the time of the uprising of the local nobility against the Emperor Maximinus, Gordian was proclaimed emperor and confirmed by the Senate together with his son, Gordian II, as his co-regent. He reigned 36 days and hanged himself when hearing of his son’s death in battle. Gordian II (Marcus Antonius Gordianus). Born 192; died 238. Emperor in 238, co-regent with his father. Gordian II was killed in the battle with Capellianus, the governor of Numidia. Gordian III (Marcus Antonius Gordianus). Born 225; died 244. Emperor from 238; grandson of Gordian I. After the latter’s death the Senate proclaimed Gordian III emperor together with Pupienus and Balbinus. He was killed by the prefect of the praetorians, Philip the Arab, during a campaign against Persia. His biography was written by Julius Capitolinus (Russian translation, Vestnik Istorii, 1959, no. 1, pp. 227–39). REFERENCELehmann. K. F. Kaiser Gordian III: 238–244 nach Christus. Berlin, 1911.E. M. SHTAERMAN Gordianknot inextricable difficulty; Alexander cut the original. [Gk. Hist.: Espy, 49]See: PredicamentGordian
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