Damocles
Dined under danger
Damocles is a figure from Greek legend who, having praised the happiness of a tyrant, was seated at a banquet with a sword suspended above his head by a single hair—illustrating that those in power live under constant threat.
The sword of Damocles now refers to any imminent danger or precarious situation: The threat of layoffs hung over the department like the sword of Damocles.
Hilted fighting blade
- hangingExecution by noose
- threadFiber for stitching
- precariousDangerously insecure
- perilSerious threat of harm
fate · lesson · morality · parable · symbolism · cautionary · fable · metaphor
Oppressive, absolute governance
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- kingshipRoyal dominion status
- ruleGoverning principle or standard
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
throne · dominion · reign · privilege · wealth · luxury · corruption · responsibility
sword
Hilted fighting blade
- hangingExecution by noose
- threadFiber for stitching
- precariousDangerously insecure
peril · fate · lesson · morality · parable · symbolism · cautionary · fable · metaphor · myth
tyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
sovereignty · throne · dominion · reign · privilege · wealth · luxury · corruption · responsibility · burden
imminent
About to occur
menace · peril · jeopardy · hazard · ominous · foreboding · dread · anxiety · trepidation · apprehension
fragile
Easily broken or damaged
volatile · delicate · insecure · shaky · vulnerable · fleeting · temporary · transient · ephemeral · conditional
- Greek SicilyArchimedes, Theron, Dion
- Prehistoric Sharks