The Sword of Damocles is frequently used in allusion to this tale, epitomizing the imminent and ever-present peril faced by those in positions of power. More generally, it is used to denote the sense of foreboding engendered by a precarious situation especially one in which the onset of tragedy is restrained only by a delicate trigger or chance.The Damocles of the anecdote was an excessively flattering courtier in the court of Dionysius II of Syracuse. Dionysius was a fourth century B.C. tyrant of Syracuse, a city in Magna Graecia, the Greek area of southern Italy. To all appearances Dionysius was very rich and comfortable, with all the luxuries money could buy, tasteful clothing and jewelry, and delectable food. He even had court flatterers (adsentatores) to inflate his ego. One of these ingratiators was the court sycophant, Damocles. Damocles used to make comments to the king about his wealth and luxurious life. One day when Damocles complimented the tyrant on his abundance and power, Dionysius turned to Damocles and said, "If you think I'm so lucky, how would you like to try out my life?"
Damocles readily agreed, and so Dionysius ordered everything to be prepared for Damocles to experience what life as Dionysius was like. In the evening a banquet was held where Damocles very much enjoyed being waited upon like a king. Damocles was enjoying himself immensely... until he noticed a sharp sword hovering over his head, that was suspended from the ceiling by a horse hair. Immediately, he lost all taste for the fine foods and beautiful women and asked leave of the tyrant, saying he no longer wanted to be so fortunate. This, the tyrant explained to Damocles, was what life as ruler was really like.
Damocles, alarmed, quickly revised his idea of what made up a good life, and asked to be excused. He then eagerly returned to his poorer, but safer life. Dionysius had successfully conveyed a sense of the constant fear in which the great man lives.
Damocles readily agreed, and so Dionysius ordered everything to be prepared for Damocles to experience what life as Dionysius was like. In the evening a banquet was held where Damocles very much enjoyed being waited upon like a king. Damocles was enjoying himself immensely... until he noticed a sharp sword hovering over his head, that was suspended from the ceiling by a horse hair. Immediately, he lost all taste for the fine foods and beautiful women and asked leave of the tyrant, saying he no longer wanted to be so fortunate. This, the tyrant explained to Damocles, was what life as ruler was really like.
Damocles, alarmed, quickly revised his idea of what made up a good life, and asked to be excused. He then eagerly returned to his poorer, but safer life. Dionysius had successfully conveyed a sense of the constant fear in which the great man lives.
"Judge no one happy until his life is over" is a familiar theme in Greek and Roman philosophical writing
