Damocles

Revision History

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5/29/2020, 9:30 PM Mike C update #108
11/16/2019, 11:04 AM Mike C update #105
12/8/2017, 12:41 PM Mike C update #97
7/27/2015, 11:23 PM Mike C update #90
2/12/2007, 1:03 AM Mike C earliest recorded revision

Gender Masculine
Usage Greek Mythology (Latinized)
Scripts Δαμοκλῆς(Ancient Greek)
Pronounced Pron. DAM-ə-kleez(English)

Meaning & History

Latinized form of the Greek name Δαμοκλῆς (Damokles), which was derived from δᾶμος (damos) meaning "the people", a Doric Greek variant of δῆμος (demos), and κλέος (kleos) meaning "glory". In Greek legend Damocles was a member of the court of Dionysius the Elder, the king of Syracuse. Damocles expressed envy of the king's station so Dionysius offered to switch roles with him for a day. To illustrate to Damocles the peril of a man in his position he suspended a sword over the throne.