Talk:Damon and Pythias

Sinbad

This was part of the plot of the animated film Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003). Can it be included in the "Works based on" section?

Legitimate?

Late in the first section of this article, the article states that both versions of the legend are "legitimate"--maybe this term could be clarified? (e.g., they both come from legitimate sources? They're both true? They're both from ancient texts?) I'm not sure what it would mean for a version of a Greek legend to be "illegitimate". --Khazar (talk) 14:27, 15 January 2008 (UTC)

I've deleted the retelling of the story, which added nothing and was poorly written, to boot. Mrrhum (talk) 02:56, 5 May 2008 (UTC)

Britannica 1911

DAMON, of Syracuse, a Pythagorean, celebrated for his disinterested affection for Phintias (not, as commonly given, Pythias), a member of the same sect. Condemned to death by Dionysius the Elder (or Younger) of Syracuse, Phintias begged to be set at liberty for a short time that he might arrange his affairs. Damon pledged his life for the return of his friend; and Phintias faithfully returned before the appointed day of execution. The tyrant, to express his admiration of their fidelity, released both the friends and begged to be admitted to their friendship (Diod. Sic. x. 4; Cicero, De Off. iii. io). Hyginus (Fab. 257, who is followed by Schiller in his ballad, Die Bürgschaft) tells a similar story, in which the two friends are named Moerus and Selinuntius.

This is clearer than we are, and includes the classical testimonia. Septentrionalis PMAnderson 00:49, 24 February 2009 (UTC)

In the Cicero, reference, 10, somehow became the gibberish io. I put the reference in more modern form in the article, along with the Diodorus. If anyone knows the Aristoxus, they should add that. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.116.134.235 (talk) 16:51, 20 September 2010 (UTC)

Another use of the story

For anyone who wants to add it -- In the second season of "Leave It to Beaver" (on the 3rd DVD) Ward used the story when Beaver and his friend, Larry, fought. Gloryroad (talk) 14:44, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

"The truth"?

What's that mean? And if that's the truth, then what's the legend? 84.0.117.145 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 17:26, 13 July 2009 (UTC).

I concur, that heading is problematic. I changed it to "greek legend." --TeaDrinker (talk) 17:36, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Sources

Normally information that can be found in thousands, perhaps millions, of published sources, such as the tale of Damon and Pythias, does not have to be attributed. Anyone with a computer can bring up millions of hits on the legend with Google, including dozens of books in any half-decent public library in the world.

The complaint regarding sources reflects only on the amateurism and poor preparation of Wikipedia's editors and not on their authors, for the rule regarding sourcing is taught to every 7th grader.

Better to just cite a few standard anthologies of Greek myths than to complain about sourcing. --Rbbloom (talk)

The Wire

This story is also used in the Wire in Season 4.

Unclear which of Damon and Pythias volunteered

> Pythias requests of Dionysius to be allowed to settle his affairs on the condition that his friend, Damon, be held hostage and, should he, Pythias, not return, be executed in his stead

This sentence is unclear, removing too much agency from Damon - Damon volunteers, and is not volunteered. Would someone with a broader grasp of the tale be able to clarify this? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 192.76.8.92 (talk) 13:38, 24 February 2021 (UTC)

Calanthe

I didn’t see Calanthe noted? She was one of the wives? It appears her name is used for plants (Calanthe) and for a social beneficial order of African American women in the United States. I came here to find out about her and her role in the story but didn’t see anything. FloridaArmy (talk) 12:36, 21 June 2022 (UTC)