Chapter 7 The Sword of Damocles

Dave King’s Report

Have you ever wished you were a king? Does that seem like the best job a person could have? Well, before you decide for sure, listen to this legend that was made famous by the Roman writer Cicero [SISer-oe] more than two thousand years ago

Damocles [DA-mə-kleez] was a friend of Dionysius [die-ə-NIS-ee-us], the king of Syracuse, a city in southern Italy Damocles envied his friend He believed that the king had a very good life He had all the riches and power he could want What could be better?

“You think I’m lucky?” Dionysius said to him one day “If you think so, let’s trade places You sit here, on the throne Try it for just one day Then, tell me if you still think I’m lucky ”

Damocles accepted his friend’s invitation He was eager to live the life of a king

When the day came, Damocles ordered servants to bring him fine robes He had them set out a great banquet of food He ordered expensive wine and fine music He sat back, sure that he was the happiest man in the world

Then, he looked up He caught his breath in fear

Above his head was a sword It was dangling from the ceiling, held by a single strand of horse’s hair

Damocles could not speak He could not eat He could not enjoy the music He could not even move

“What is the matter, my friend?” asked Dionysius

“How can I conduct my life with that sword hanging above me?” Damocles asked

“How indeed?” answered Dionysius “Now you know how it feels to be king That sword hangs over my head every minute of every day There is always the chance the thread will break An advisor may turn on me An enemy spy may attack me I might make an unwise decision that brings my downfall You see, my friend, with power comes danger ”

Damocles sits on the throne of King Dionysius, with the sword dangling from the ceiling.