Damocles
Encyclopedia Britannica
DAMOCLES, one of the courtiers of Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse. When he spoke in extravagant terms of the happiness of his sovereign, Dionysius is said to have placed him at a sumptuous banquet, with a naked sword suspended over his head by a single hair.
9th ed. Encyclopædia Britannica, vol. 6, p. 795
[45 words — estimated reading time: 1 minute]
[45 words — estimated reading time: 1 minute]