Gordium

Gordium, also written Gordion or Gordiu, was the ancient Phrygian capital located in central Anatolia. The site lies near the modern village of Gordion in the Polatlı district of Ankara Province, Turkey. It flourished as the political and ceremonial center of Phrygia from the 8th to the 6th centuries BCE, continuing to be inhabited into the Hellenistic and early Roman periods before gradually being abandoned in late antiquity.

As a major urban center, Gordium evidence includes defensive walls, streets, public buildings, and a complex of ritual spaces. The most famous burial mound at the site is the Midas Tomb, a large tumulus dating to the 8th century BCE, which yielded a rich array of grave goods and provided insights into Phrygian burial practices. Excavations have also revealed other tombs, domestic layers, and industrial activity, contributing to understanding Phrygian material culture and interaction with neighboring Anatolian polities.

Gordium is especially noted in classical myth through the Gordian Knot, a legend associated with the city. According to later Greek sources, the knot tied to the wagon of Gordias the king could not be untied; Alexander the Great is said to have solved the puzzle by slicing it with his sword, a story often interpreted as a symbol of decisive action.

Today, Gordium is an important archaeological site for the study of Phrygian civilization and Anatolian archaeology. It provides information on royal authority, urban planning, and burial customs, and serves as a focal point for research and cultural heritage in the region.