Androcles

Thorn-removing slave legend

Androcles is a figure from ancient Roman legend, a slave who extracted a thorn from a lion's paw.

When later thrown to the beasts in the arena, the same lion recognized him and refused to attack.

The story has become a byword for kindness repaid: an Androcles moment between unlikely allies.

fable

lion

Maned African feline

  • thornPointed plant projection
  • pawAnimal's clawed foot
  • slaveOwned human, forced laborer

gratitude · Aesop · arena · kindness · beast · freedom · Roman · tale · moral · mercy

classical

Rome

Italy's capital city

spectacle · condemned · arena · execution · crowd · amphitheater · ancient · slave · persecution · punishment

literary

Shaw

British-origin family name

  • playRecreation or staged drama
  • satireMockery exposing vice
  • dramaTheatrical art or turmoil

Christianity · martyrdom · comedy · stage · 1912 · Edwardian · wit · farce · theater · adaptation

Opposites
compassion and mercy vs. cruelty

Androclestormentor

One who causes anguish

oppressor · Nero · sadist · vivisectionist · poacher

relationship with wild/dangerous creatures

Androclesbig game hunter

One who stalks large wildlife

Captain Ahab · trophy hunter · Hemingway · gladiator · St. George

treatment of animals

Androclesgladiator

Ancient Roman arena combatant

bullfighter · trophy hunter · Michael Vick · poacher

Family

android, Andromeda, androgen, andro, androphobia

Familiarity
Top 1,000,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G