damocles

• Имя собственное, относящееся к греческому придворному IV века до н.э., который, согласно легенде, был вынужден Дионисием Старшим сидеть под мечом, подвешенным на одном волоске, чтобы проиллюстрировать шаткость счастья правителя.

A proper noun referring to a Greek courtier from the 4th century BC who, according to legend, was forced by Dionysius the Elder to sit under a sword suspended by a single hair to illustrate the precarious nature of a ruler's happiness.

uncountable · proper noun

1. C2formal

   A legendary Greek courtier who served under Dionysius the Elder, tyrant of Syracuse, and was forced to sit under a sword suspended by a single hair to illustrate the precarious nature of power.

   Дамокл

   • Damocles envied the king's wealth and power, not realizing the constant danger.
   • The story of Damocles is often used to warn about the hidden risks of high status.
   • Dionysius arranged the sword over Damocles to teach him a lesson about leadership.