Ken Millett (UCSB)

Gordian Knots

According to the legend of Phrygian Gordium, Alexander the Great cut the “Gordian Knot’’ and eventually went on to rule Asia thereby fulfilling an ancient prophecy.  Where there are several descriptions of the precise nature of the Gordian Knot and Alexander’s action, an explicit mathematical treatment (the theory of thick knots) and the reasons for its contemporary interest will be discussed.  The first simple example of such a Gordian Knotted Structure supported by a rigorous mathematical analysis will be presented.