person
Damon
also: Damon, Damonem
A Pythagorean of Syracuse celebrated, with his friend Phintias, as a model of perfect friendship under the tyrant Dionysius. One stood surety with his life for the other's return to execution.
Reading notes
- On the Ends of Good and Evil §2.79 as that Pythagorean did for the Sicilian tyrant
The legend of Damon and Phintias: one Pythagorean stood surety with his own life so the other, condemned by the tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse, could settle his affairs, and each was ready to die for the other. Cicero asks whether an Epicurean could match such friendship.
- On Duties §3.45 Damon and Phintias
Two Pythagoreans of Syracuse, the proverbial pair of perfect friends. When one was condemned by the tyrant Dionysius, the other stood surety with his own life for the friend's return.