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Damocles readily agreed, and so Dionysius ordered everything to be prepared for Damocles to experience what life as Dionysius was like. 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.
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ancienthistory.about.com/od/ciceroworkslatin/f/Damocles...
ancienthistory.about.com/od/ciceroworkslatin/f/DamoclesSword.htm
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The Sword of Damocles "Het zwaard van Damocles", 1539 by Francesco Xanto Avelli, at the Museum Boymans van Beuningen, ... 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,
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ancienthistory.about.com/od/dmen/ss/070709damoclessword...
ancienthistory.about.com/od/dmen/ss/070709damoclessword.htm
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When Damocles said that he desired this, Dionysius gave orders that the man be placed on a golden couch covered with a most beautiful woven rug, ... In the middle of this luxury Dionysius ordered that a shining sword, fastened from the ceiling by a horse-hair, be let down so that it hung over the neck of that fortunate man.
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www.livius.org/sh-si/sicily/sicily_t11.html
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As Damocles sat feasting in the palace, he happened to glance upward and was horrified to see a sharp sword hanging above him by a single thread. "Are you surprised?" said Dionysius. "I came to power by violence, and I have many enemies.
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www.ackland.org/tours/westall.html
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Naturally, because Dionysius had so much wealth and power, there were many in Syracuse who envied his good fortune. Damocles was one of these. He was one of Dionysius's best friends, and he was always saying to him, "How lucky you are! ... For directly above his head hung a sword, held to the ceiling by only a single...
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www.inspirationalstories.com/0/2.html
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By this device Dionysius made Damocles realize that insecurity might threaten those who appeared to be the most fortunate. (Sword of Damocles: symbolic potential disaster.)
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www.pantheon.org/articles/d/damocles.html
www.pantheon.org/articles/d/damocles.html
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If time allows, begin the seminar with a very quick, 3-question pop quiz to ensure that students have read the information about Damocles, Dionysius, and the sword. Collect it and grade it. The pop quiz and seminar questions are attached.
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www.learnnc.org/lessons/SharynWest2112003254
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Legend holds that when Damocles spoke in extravagant terms of Dionysius's happiness, the sovereign responded by inviting Damocles to a banquet and seating him beneath a sword suspended by a thread, thereby demonstrating the precarious fortunes of people who hold power.
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www.answers.com/topic/damocles
www.answers.com/topic/damocles
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