英语词汇sword of damocles的起源、历史背景-英语词源词典

sword of Damocles. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” Both Cicero and Horace tell the story of the flatterer Damocles, a fifth-century court follower of Dionysius I (405– 367 b.c.), the Elder of Syracuse. Damocles annoyed Dionysius with his constant references to the ruler’s great power and con- sequent happiness. Deciding to teach the sycophant the real perils of power, he invited Damocles to a magnificent banquet, surrounding him with luxuries that only a king could afford. Damocles enjoyed the feast until he happened to glance up and see a sharp sword suspended by a single hair pointing directly at his head, after which he lay there cowering, afraid to eat, speak, or move. The lesson was that there are always threats of danger, fears, and worries that prevent the powerful from fully enjoying their power, and the expression sword of Damocles has come to symbolize these fears. The phrase also gives us our ex- pression to hang by a thin thread, to be subject to imminent danger.

词汇	sword of damocles
词源	sword of Damocles. “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” Both Cicero and Horace tell the story of the flatterer Damocles, a fifth-century court follower of Dionysius I (405– 367 b.c.), the Elder of Syracuse. Damocles annoyed Dionysius with his constant references to the ruler’s great power and con- sequent happiness. Deciding to teach the sycophant the real perils of power, he invited Damocles to a magnificent banquet, surrounding him with luxuries that only a king could afford. Damocles enjoyed the feast until he happened to glance up and see a sharp sword suspended by a single hair pointing directly at his head, after which he lay there cowering, afraid to eat, speak, or move. The lesson was that there are always threats of danger, fears, and worries that prevent the powerful from fully enjoying their power, and the expression sword of Damocles has come to symbolize these fears. The phrase also gives us our ex- pression to hang by a thin thread, to be subject to imminent danger.
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