Sword of Damocles
A sword suspended by a single horsehair above a throne, symbolising the peril that accompanies power
The Meaning of Sword of Damocles
The Sword of Damocles originates not from Greek myth proper but from a moral anecdote told by the Roman orator Cicero about the court of Dionysius II, tyrant of Syracuse in Sicily during the fourth century BCE. Damocles was a courtier who constantly flattered Dionysius, praising the magnificence and happiness of his rule. Weary of the sycophancy, Dionysius offered to let Damocles experience his fortune firsthand. Damocles eagerly accepted and was seated on a golden couch, surrounded by exquisite food, fragrant oils, and attentive servants. He was delighted — until he noticed a razor-sharp sword hanging directly above his head, suspended from the ceiling by nothing more than a single horsehair. All enjoyment vanished instantly. Damocles begged to be released from the throne, understanding at last the constant anxiety that accompanies absolute power. The sword represented the ever-present dangers — assassination, revolt, treachery — that a ruler faces every moment. The story became one of the most enduring moral parables of the ancient world, referenced by philosophers, politicians, and writers for millennia. It gave rise to the proverbial expression "sword of Damocles" to describe any precarious situation where danger looms above apparent prosperity.
Parents
None recorded
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Sword of Damocles was not a myth but a philosophical anecdote, yet it has become more widely known than most genuine Greek myths
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
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