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Alexander the Great Cuts the Gordian Knot
Public domain

Alexander the Great Cuts the Gordian Knot

Antonio Tempesta · 1596 - 1652 · etching; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Alexander the Great cuts the Gordian (inextricable) knot with his sword. The oracle had said of this knot: "Whoever unties this knot shall become master of all Asia." A crowd of soldiers looks on. Four-line verse in Latin in two columns in the lower margin.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineAlexander de Grote snijdt de gordiaanse knoop door. 1596 - 1652. Antonio Tempesta. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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