Circumstance has, lately, left me feeling as if The Sword of Damocles was hanging over my head. You know the basics of the fable. Damocles is surrounded by luxury but not without consequence: a sword, suspended by a single horse hair, hangs perilously just above his head, giving him a feeling of unease with the thought that the sword could come crashing down at any, unforeseen moment. But what does this story really mean? I was curious, so I looked it up and this is what I found.
The fable comes to us from the Roman politician and philosopher, Cicero. Although the names are Greek in origin, it is really a Sicilian tale. Being of Sicilian decent, this certainly piqued my interest. Damocles was a courtier of the Tyrant (ruler) of Siracusa (Syracuse), Dionysius II. Damocles constantly flattered the Tyrant by extolling the magnificence of the royal palace and the incredible luxury in which Dionysius lived. He did it so often that the Tyrant said, "So, Damocles, since this life delights you, do you wish to taste it yourself and make trial of my fortune"? Of course, Damocles said, yes, he would like that very much. Dionysius then ordered Damocles to be placed on a golden couch and to be surrounded with the most beautiful attendants who were to see to his every need. Incense was burned. Sumptuous meals were prepared of the most select foods and his every whim was indulged. Suddenly, right in the middle of providing Damocles with every luxury possible, Dionysius ordered that a shining sword be fastened by a single horse hair thread to the ceiling directly above Damocles' neck. Suddenly, Damocles became less interested on the luxuries surrounding him and focused exclusively on the sword dangling above his head. After a short time, Damolces begged the Tyrant to allow him to stand up and walk away, he no longer wanted to be as fortunate.
The anecdote is often told as a reminder that for powerful men, there is always danger present. However, most see a broader message: HAPPINESS IS FRAGILE - it hangs by a mere thread.
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