Damon and Pythias
A tale of two friends with complete confidence in each other, and loyal to the death.
A tale of two friends with complete confidence in each other, and loyal to the death.
Dionysius, tyrant of the island of Sicily (probably Dionysius I, r. 405-367 BC), was deeply impressed by the bond of trust shared by Pythias and Damon. Given how he came to find out about it, though, it is understandable that they thought three would make a crowd.
LIKE most tyrants, Dionysius of Sicily lived in constant fear of treachery. One day, Pythias fell under his suspicion, and Dionysius sentenced him to death. Pythias requested permission to make his farewells to his family in Greece, promising to come back on the date appointed. Dionysius just laughed at him. However, Damon declared that he trusted Pythias’s word and would even take his place, for he was quite sure that Pythias would come back as promised.
Soon the day came for sentence to be carried out. Pythias was nowhere to be found, so Damon was led to the place of execution, but still no anxiety clouded his face. At that moment, Pythias himself burst through the crowd. He had been captured by pirates, he explained breathlessly, and had only just escaped; he hoped he had made it back in time? Even Dionysius was touched, and granted the two loyal friends his pardon, though they politely declined his request to join their ‘brotherhood’.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why was Pythias facing execution?
Because Dionysius suspected he was a traitor.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Dionysius thought many people wanted to kill him. The suspects included Pythias. Dionysius ordered his execution.