Book 2 Summary and Analysis

In Gordium Alexander ponders the Gordian Knot, which ties a cart to a yoke and has a legend around it. If anyone can untie the knot, that person will become the ruler of Asia. Alexander cannot find a way to untie it, so he takes out his sword and cuts through the knot. Another story has Alexander simply removing a pin that releases the cart from the yoke. While this goes on, Darius tries to establish ports in the Aegean Sea, which is only partially successful.

As the Macedonian army makes a large arch through Asia to Tarsus, towns either surrender without a fight or give up plans for fighting as Alexander approaches. Some Persians take off for Darius' court. Alexander becomes ill during this time and receives a note warning him not to trust his physician, Philip. Allegedly Darius had...