The Washington times., 1894-08-26
DAMON AND pYTHIAs.
Prototypes of the Great Order Which
Serves to Perpetuate Their Memory.

Prototypes of the Great Order Which
Serves TO Perpetuate Their Memory.
One OF the most beautiful of the many
legends-for it is hardly more than piece Of
Greek folk lore-that have come down to US
from the classic ages is the story Of Damon
and Pythias. The name, however, ofDamon's
other self in the ancient chronicles was not
the familiar Pythias, but the harsher, although
equally Greek, Phlntias.
1t is one of those stories which should be
true. even supposing it to be the most fanei-
ful fable, or as the Italians pithily express il.
Isl non vero. ben troyotO.'
Damon and Pythias does not belong TO the
category of stories which are known as myth
illogical, although il has prototypes in the
''Orestes and Pylades" and ''CastOr and Pol
lux OF the golden age Of Greece, and in
David and Absalom of Biblical history These
latter legends with the authentic story from
sacred history show that the central idea, the
sentiment expressed in the relation Of Damon
and Pythias is and was as broad as human
nature itself. Ii will be admitted, however,
that the motif of Damon and Pythias Is
pitched in a higher key than that OF the
legends that antedate it, None of them rises
to the dignity OF the Syracusan story. none Of
them teaches so pure, so noble a moral lesson.
centuries ago, when Dionysius. the elder. be-
came King of Syracuse he having assumed
royal title and power by destroying its repub-
lican form of government. Damon was a
citizen of Syracuse He was by nature of
warm, enthusiastic. impulsive temperament,
but had been schooled by the philosophy Of
Pythogoras into stole coldness on caution in
speech He was loyal son of the old repub-
lie Of Syracuse, and when Dionysius was
made king" by the vote Of an intimidated
and seryile senate, Damon, a senator loyal 70
the popular form of government, denounced
Dionysius as a tyrant. For this he was
seized. and as he had tried 10 stab Dionysius
he was condemned TO instant death. Damon
craVed respite OF four hours TO bid farewell
to his wife and child, but that privilege was
denied him.
PYTHIAs STOOD N DA9fOSs STEAD.
On his way to execution his friend, Pythias
met him and obtained permission OF Dionysius
to become his surety and to die in his stead
| if, within four hours. Damon did not return.
| Dionysius not only excepted this hostage. but
| extended Damon's leave of absence TO si1
| hours. When Damon reached his villa, and
| had made his last farewells 10 whatwas dearest
! to him onearth he discovered that one LucuL
| Ius. an enemy, had killed his horse in order &c
| prevent his return in due time. Damon. how
! ever was favored by fortune. He seized the
/ horse of a chance traveller and reached Syra-
| cuse Just as the royal executioner was pre-
| pairing to put Pythias to death.
| The moral of the story is that Dionysius
| was so touched by this exhibition of disinter-
| ested self-sacrihce that he pardoned Damon
| and asked to be admitted into their frienship.
| Several of the ancient writers have referred
! to the story. among them Diodorus. Siculus
| Yalerius, Maximus. and Iamblichus, in his
| Life of Pythias, " and Cicero. The references
| of Cicero are to be found in his 'De Officiis'
| and the ''Tusculan Disputations. 1t is Cicero
| by the way, who cautions US against believing
| all the stories that are attributed to the cour
| of Dionysius, for he says that many Of then
| have an air of great exaggeration."
| The story was dramatized first in English
| by Richard Edwards in 1871 and again by
/ John Bouim, the popular version. in 1926.
Schiller has also written one Of his mos
beautiful compositions on this classic theme
| His story is entitled "Die Buergschaft' o.
1.-The Bond" +" but it is doubtful if his variation
have added anything to the beauty Of the Sc
we're, classic outlines OF the Damon AM
Pythias fable.