Editing Damon and Pythias (section)

{{Short description|Ancient Greek legend}}
{{otheruses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

The story of '''Damon''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|d|eɪ|m|ən
| 7 = ˈ
}}; {{langx|grc|Δάμων}}, gen. Δάμωνος) and '''Pythias''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|p|ɪ|θ|i|ə|s
}}; {{Langx|grc|Πυθίας|label=none}}
or
{{Langx|grc|Φιντίας|label=none}}; or '''Phintias''', {{IPAc-en|ˈ|f|ɪ|n|t|i|ə|s
}}) is a legend in Greek historic writings illustrating the [[Pythagoreanism|Pythagorean]] ideal of friendship. Pythias is accused of and charged with plotting against the tyrannical [[Dionysius I of Syracuse]]. Pythias is sentenced to death, but, requests of Dionysius to first be allowed to settle his affairs. Dionysius agrees, on the condition that Pythias' friend, Damon, be held hostage and, should Pythias not return, be executed in his stead. When Pythias returns, Dionysius, amazed by the love and trust in their friendship, frees them both.