Damon and pythias

the story of damon and pythias is an ancient greek legend that has been retold throughout the centuries and that has been source material for many literary works. the legend expresses the ideals of friendship and examines the bond between two individuals faced with an impossible test and choice.

there once lived two men called damon and pythias. they were both lovers of truth and integrity and in all the city of syracuse they could find no one who upheld these principles so well as each other.

dionysius was at that time the ruler of syracuse; he wielded complete authority and very often abused his power, for he was hot-tempered and imperious and anyone who angered him was put to death.

one day he was informed that a young man named pythias had been heard complaining against the cruelty of dionysius; no one was allowed to criticise the ruler, and dionysius condemned the youth to die.

when pythias learnt of his fate, he begged to be allowed to return home to set his affairs in order.

“how far away is your home? ” enquired dionysius suspiciously, “and how may i be certain you will return? ”

“my home is many miles distant,” replies pythias, “but i have a friend, damon, who is willing to take my place while i am away.”

there was a stir amongst the bystanders and a man stepped to pythias's side.

“i am damon, my lord” he said. “i will give myself up as a pledge of my friend's return, and if any accident befalls him i will die in his stead.”

the tyrant was amazed by this generosity, and gave pythias leave to depart, fixing on the day and hour of his return, and warning that he would not fail to exercise justice on his friend, if he did not arrive back in time.

the days passed and the morning dawned on which pythias was to have been executed-still, pythias did not appear, and the people of syracuse said that damon would surely be killed.

everyone was agreed in condemning his behavior as rash and foolhardy; but damon himself was the happiest man in the prison.

he was filled with hope that his friend would not return in time, and he was led out to execution with a cheerful face. dionysius had come to see him meet his death, and called out to him in mocking words.

“so, damon, where is your friend, of whom you were so confident? i fear you have allowed him to take advantage of your simplicity.”

“it is impossible for me to doubt my friend's constancy,” replied damon. “perhaps he has met with some accident along the way.”

at that moment a horse broke through the crowd, and pythias, travel-stained and weary, half fell out of his saddle, and ran to embrace his friend.

“i am come—in time,” he gasped. “my horse—was killed, and i could not find another. heaven i am in time to save you! ”

but damon did not want pythias to die. he pleaded with him to allow the execution to continue, and dionysius watched in disbelief as each friend eagerly sought to give up his life for the other.

“cease, cease these debates,” he exclaimed, stepping forward and taking their hands. “i hereby set both of you free. never in my life have i seen such loyalty; nor did i dream such a thing could exist. i beg you will accept my pardon and allow me to share in your friendship.”

how does the archetype of the cruel tyrant, exemplified by dionysius, affect the story?

it causes readers to feel less connected to damon and pythias.

it permits readers to predict the actions of pythias.

it allows damon and pythias to demonstrate the value of true friendship and loyalty.

it establishes dionysius as a character capable of change.