The Sword of Damocles - Fables of the World - See U in History

The Sword of Damocles - Fables of the World - See U in History
Art: Guilherme Raffide
#GreekMythology #Mythology #SeeUinHistory #History #MythologyExplained

[@troygaspard6732]

This is probably one of the most misused phrases. It is not about impending doom but the perils of power. Thank you for providing the actual story.

[@klausbrinck2137]

It´s still a good phrase about impending doom, since one can use the phrase as a reminder for the whole background story or for just impending doom, without doing any harm to any part of the story, after all. Good is, what´s practical, and this phrase is surely very practical, since it´s perfectly conceivable in both ways, without the one harming/diminisching the other. If people would use it only in the way, that u mean it weren´t a misuse, then, we´d all be poorer. And there is ways of being poorer, that society can´t afford.

[@chriswilkinson9400]

@@klausbrinck2137 the Legend of the hidden Temple

[@burnttoast26]

@@klausbrinck2137 It's still a misuse of the phrase, and common enough that many think that the misuse is the actual meaning. Simply by that principle, it's a fairly big negative in regards to the phrase.

[@thegeneralist7527]

History has no shortage of examples where the sword falls. In fact it is more likely to fall than not I would guess. In a democracy it almost always falls.

[@marvalice3455]

well, it's both. the implications of the perils of power are that you must use it to delay an inevitable doom.

[@seanspindleshanks2529]

That was actually really clever on Dionysus' part. because Damecles always talking about how great it would be to be king is definitely going to cause some worry that he main try to assassinate Dionysus, so the king just had to give Damecles a demonstration about how stressful it is to be in power, and he would get to know that his throne was safe and keep his friend. Also, he got a day off on top of it

[@sachadossantos7972]

the day off even so in the story it's not is actually quite a nice +

[@NPC-nn4qe]

@@sachadossantos7972 wut?

[@johntodd6413]

@@sachadossantos7972 wut?

[@Evan490BC]

*Damocles

[@anonymoususer3561]

@@sachadossantos7972 What?

[@AlwaysSomeone]

Damocles was probably the most loyal and trusted friend to the king from that day on The only person that the king could be sure didn’t want to usurp him

[@obesechicken13]

Nah Damocles could just usurp him and then get rid of the sword

[@hxrdyy]

@@obesechicken13LMAO

[@The7Reaper]

You can basically sum up this entire story in one single phrase. 'Heavy is the head that wears the crown'

[@PosiVibes_Hub]

Love that

[@eugene7518]

Wrong. Heavy is the the crown.

[@sheikmuhammad3894]

For one can lose both in short order with a single misstep...

[@PosiVibes_Hub]

@@sheikmuhammad3894 well said

[@AMcGrath82]

That phrase, however, is merely a retelling of this much older one.

[@AllusernamesgoneFUCK]

The sword of Damocles is hanging over my head, and I've got the feeling someone's gonna be cutting the thread

[@1963Iota]

THAT AIN'T NO CRIME!!!!

[@nerkum]

Ohh Rocky!

[@pjdougherty6442]

Oh woe is me, my life is a misery! Oh can’t you see, I’m at the start of a pretty big downer!

[@werewolflover8636]

@@1963Iota haha I was wondering if someone would sing this!

[@LuckoDaStars]

Exactly. That's the whole point of the story. Anything can happen to cause the thread to break. It's either by tension or by deliberate action. That's causing the paranoia to be even worse. That is the true burden of power

[@ManafKAMIL]

This story is very similar to old folklore story in Iraq, where the king is Haroon Al Rasheed, the Abbassi Khalif in the 13 century, and the person put in power for one day is a tribesman who criticized his ruling and how slow was the decision making process at the palace. The moral of the story is slightly different, where the tribesman couldn't achieve anything in one day because of the many factors to think of for every decision and of course the many distractions in the ruling court

[@jmlkhan5153]

Thank you for sharing, i want to look this up

[@DrBovdin]

That still rings true to this day… I will incorporate the old Iraqi khalif into my list of good stories with timeless morals.

[@IoDavide1]

Are you aware that damocle's story is nore then 1000 years older then your?

[@guilhermecaiado5384]

Maybe the arab version is just a copy. Damocles tale dates from at least 300 AD.

[@ManafKAMIL]

@UTubeFekUrself I agree with you and the rest. In ancient times, the same story is told in several seemingly isolated part and eras of history. This version is from around 800AD (I checked history books and this Caliph lived in the 8th century). This is the time when Baghdad was the centre of the civilization. But a lot of this history is kept by word of mouth because of all the wars and struggles in the centuries that followed.

[@RonyPlayer]

Greek mythology has some truly iconic fables. Damocles, Icarus, Narcissus, the moral is always made very clear in these stories.

[@jamesbrice3267]

Narcissus' tale is more about an innocent man who refused an apparently crazy lady (Echo) who kept on repeating everything he said and then got punished for no good reason by a vindictive goddess.

[@IoDavide1]

Greek mithology is great, expecially when it is Syracusan...

[@IoDavide1]

@cak01vej no, it wasnt. Not only it was colturally and deeply different, but as I said it was an autonomous kingdom for centuries (centuries!) I ask you the same question as I asked already: is Australia part of great bretain? And USA? Our mind is locked in this presuntuos vision where we think we can look at ancient as they were all the same.

[@IoDavide1]

@cak01vej You are completely wrong. Unless you mean that USA are a great bretain colony. Greeks founded Syracuse, then Syracude evolved all alone, mixing with sicilian populations, as an independent kingdom for centuries. You are victim of a certain way to teach history.

[@IoDavide1]

@cak01vej glad you begin to understand, "was" as well Syracuse "was", but after 100 years it wasnt anymore

[@earnem4175]

I first heard about the Sword of Damocles in K Project. And if you look at the interpretation in that anime - it's actually badass.

[@richardptison7735]

I first heard of this fable from "The Three Stooges" episode "Half Wits Holiday" (1947) where Moe finds himself standing directly under a pie stuck to a ceiling. He cannot leave his spot b/c an elderly woman tries to have a conversation with him. As he desperately tries to move away from that spot, the woman remarks (paraphrasing), "Young man, you act as if you have the sword of Damocles dangling over your head." Moe responds (again, paraphrasing): "Lady, you have no idea how right you are," and then he leaves just before the pie falls on the woman as she was looking up. This then, cascades into a pie-throwing fight among the contestants. So, I must credit the "The Three stooges" for my greater understanding of Ancient Greek culture!

[@miyn_]

This is such a good quality video !

[@SeeUinHistory]

thanks

[@jonecuntapay9561]

The sword that dangles overhead was a allegory of incoming threat while you hold power to the people.

[@macmcleod1188]

If you look at the history of Chinese and European Kings, other than the founding of a given line of Kings, most kings die before 40. And a lot of them are murdered.

[@sjgreene785]

That puts it in perspective. Great video. Thank you.

[@SeeUinHistory]

:)

[@flakzuludeusex2365]

The title of king or any form of leadership has this, it can come in many forms if you are one who is in power. The form of danger that might hang over your head maybe something that will put you, the nation, the people to the sword of war and conquest of others, basically having a big bullseye that you are wearing for your time as a leader.

[@robertodykirk]

Fantastic story. I love how Ancient Greeks used so many metaphors. The Illiad for example: used metaphors when describing events. To name the event and then describe it in a metaphorical way. I.e. the shields and spears clashed like a strong wave against a cliff. Or, the formation of armed men moved across the field like a flock of migratory birds. Not moving as indaviduals but as one.

[@GalacticCoffee2077]

Both of those are similes but your point is still clear

[@carallela9708]

You`re doomed! Enjoy the singing, the sword of Damocles is swinging....🎶

[@DivineRedwood]

*One of my all time favorite stories. It's sad so few people know about it.*

[@raccoonresident5760]

Great segment. Might I add. If a king failed and was killed. His family lineage would also perish. He had to take care of his kingdom and ensure most were take….um…Care of. Then the resources in and out, making sure tribute isn’t paid. And gains in surrounding power by land grabs. Then there is the priest and merchant classes, the underworld moles. Everything we have today, but enforced by sigils and gods.

[@richewilson6394]

There's a particular marsh mummy as a prime example of the sacrificing of a king who fails his people. They found a pair of arms attached to a torso that indicated that he was a king.

[@cvampaul]

Why the 'um'? Please can you explain

[@raccoonresident5760]

@@cvampaul while most settlements were familial. Family came first, then extended, and their entourages as well. The citizens as they were furthest from the coronated kings immediate blood line,They were less important and expendable. Classes were important back then. Also the power structure is the same today as it was at the beginning. It’s just disguised under a new name.

[@cvampaul]

@@raccoonresident5760 Thank you

[@Diabaddus]

The Sigils I know of dictate energy dynamics so which ones are you referring too?

[@samker7758]

Dionysus and Damocles actually had quite the wholesome friendship.

[@Myuutsuu85]

This is different to the story I know. In my version Damocles didn't even noticed the sword until much later, and once he did, he was allowed to abandon both throne and crown with no issues. He still understood the lesson just as much.

[@jarrodsteers8991]

In this version, I believe having the condition that you can't leave the throne puts more weight into the threat of the sword falling. While leaving is always a choice in life, sometimes it is impossible to do that if you have something valuable that would be sacrificed and lost in the process (friends, family, wealth, etc.). And I like the moment where Damocles even tried to leave when the situation looked like the worst, but was held back by his "advisors" and those around him, thus further enforcing the idea of helplessness to the danger "hanging above his head".

[@battlevain]

An excellent illustration of the hidden perils that always accompany power in all it's forms.

[@antoniojay7491]

That was awesome. I swear, I always wondered about the meaning of the sword of Damocles. It make all the sense in the world. Great video

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

I've often wondered about that phrase too. Now I understand the scene from that 3 Stooges movie where Moe, Larry, and Curly, after being taught how to behave like "gentlemen," attend a high society party, where it turns out that they haven't completely changed their ways. Moe discovers that Curly has been trying to steal a pie, which he takes away from him. Then, seeing one of the party guests, a middle-aged woman, approaching, Moe tries to ditch the pie by throwing upwards until it gets stuck on the ceiling. The woman tries to speak to Moe, who keeps looking up, as the pie shows signs of beginning to drop on whoever's standing underneath it. Becoming very nervous, Moe tries to walk away, prompting the woman to say, "Young man, what's wrong? You act as though the Sword of Damocles was hanging over your head." Seeing that the pie is ready to fall, Moe says, "Lady, you must be psychic!" He then runs off, leaving the lady to be hit by the pie as it finally falls from the ceiling.

[@petronilobuan4648]

Timeless fable and story wisdom the Sword of Democles Once you wear a crown with it a sword hanging above it!

[@ruchirbhagat1136]

Their is actually an Idiom in my country, "Jab sar par Talwaar latak rahi ho tu kuch nahi soojhta" Or "Sar par Talwaar latakna" It actually means , when their is a sword hanging above or when their is pressure of some work or a thought, you continuously are feared and agitated by it.

[@ajizel13]

ima gonna tell this story to those ppl that say they wanna run a business, be CEO, be famous, ect...

[@Such.is.life.of.an.adventurer]

A very wise fable, love it 💜😊

[@Frankenhound]

Pretty dope! I've told this story to both of my sons on numerous occasions, it's a solid life lesson.

[@HandsumeAJ]

Yes but if can beat a boss without getting hurt he gets double the items

[@migueldelmazo5244]

Great telling of this ancient story. Any chance we can get some of those swords and horse hairs for our modern leaders?

[@CharlesLumia]

This is great. Nice video guys.

[@Zoobydeeby]

My cat wouldn’t stop licking and smacking the screen where Damocles was in one scene.

[@chickenrodeo2186]

Love your videos man, and I think am first comment, anyways have a good day and I am waiting for the next video

[@SeeUinHistory]

:) thank you

[@ajithsidhu7183]

@@SeeUinHistory indo greek please

[@rosaleenstark9187]

This reminds me of (spoilers) the remarried empress When rashta is being taken to the tower she asks the guards why did everyone betray her and she thought that if she gained higher status she wouldn't be betrayed by anyone ever again, but when she gained the crown she got betrayed even more and doesn't understand why no one betrayed navier, only to be reminded that navier did get betrayed so that rashta could gain that status.

[@night-x6793]

This would be a good story for leadership morals to teach kids the downside of being a leader.

[@tunebeat3809]

Alsogsude the responsibilities of how to be an efficient leader.

[@joesomebody3365]

Thanks for explaining the story, I hard heard the expression many times but never heard the story behind it before now.

[@energicko]

Moral: When looking at power and leadership from the inside outwards, danger hangs above by a thin thread.

[@henrique610]

And at the end, it could've been the best day of his life if he chose to focus on the good things happening instead of worrying about the sword. Sometimes a bad thing happening is inevitable and stressing out about it will just be a waste of time and sanity

[@TheMariusDarkwolf]

Then you missed the point of the fable entirely. The entire point of the fable is that when a responsible person is in a position of authority, they must worry about what will happen next. Yes some things are inevitable, but if you plan for them, you can mitigate the damage, and recover sooner.

[@tat3179]

All the good stuff becomes numb to you eventually. But the worry, the threat, the stress…..they don’t go away.

[@naylisyazwina6836]

Can't wait to watch this tomorrow. It was in an anime called K Project

[@dislikebutton6269]

It is a shame that said sword no longer hangs over those in power, but instead hangs only over those being ruled.

[@sleepyguy4237]

Because the sword doesn't hang on one person anymore, we aren't in a monarchy but a republican(Or an oligarchy)

[@mangorogo8407]

Finally, the lore behind the The Binding of Isaac item.

[@lordmarshmal_0643]

-But hey, at least he got doubled items for that time period-

[@tablemat1191]

He forgot about it giving double the item pedestals

[@whowastheoneguy4719]

I'm pretty sure I got recommended this video only because I'm a Trivium fan, but good stuff! I'm certainly checking out more of your channel

[@Duskbreaker1780]

The binding of Isaac item lore finally explained

[@kevinpitts22able]

“Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” -Van W.

[@xxsimonsxx7907]

I would only ever dare to sit in the throne if i was The Lost

[@Cander509]

I guess I’ve always understood this, it’s just that as you get older it comes in to sharp focus and you can’t look away.

[@-EchoesIntoEternity-]

heavy is the head that wears the crown

[@eduardogetassi]

Such a magnifient tale to keep people from aspiring the throne. Especially for the peasantry, I can imagine how useful this story have been in shaping their thoughts in sorrow and condolence for the wealthy, powerfull and well fed king. Better live our simple and miserable lives than experiencing the horror of being king. Well played, well played.

[@josephperrelli8308]

You misunderstand it. It isnt saying that being king is a bad thing nessasaraly but that no matter your position in life there is always a trade off. A poor man may not have had all the luxuries of a king but he can safely trust those around him for the most part as they would have little to gain in betrayal. A king may live a lavish life but he must always worry about those around him and staying on top. That is something that is not really obvious to lower classes even today. I have seen many stories of wealthy people talking about how they can never really trust those around them are not just friends for their money. In all things there is a trade off and that is the point of the story.

[@c-r]

"um actually being a king is waaaay harder than being a wretch, actually" - some king

[@Dequ011]

Money doesn't make you happy - rich people

[@sunflowerkim633]

Another good one that links well with this would be "Never judge a man untill you have walked for a mile in his shoes".

[@mrobligatory.5234]

Such a ferocious power, something that slowly breaks down people, a power so great, it might just destroy the whole world.

[@mrobligatory.5234]

I’m referring to code geass, if you don’t get it.

[@hugogarcia7885]

Didnt know this story! Thanks for sharing!! :)

[@movesguy]

Mr. Burns on The Simpsons made a reference to this sword, and now I understand.

[@loszhor]

Argh! I could FEEL that sword over me just by watching this! Well made! Thanks for uploading!

[@anameyoucantremember]

0:30 "The King grew impatient with Damocles, who continually dangled his hand with six fingers in front of him."

[@josevega5670]

Just learned about Damocles today.

[@ccb6013]

A theoretical sword vs. an *actual, tangible* sword perilously swinging in midair above one's head is 100% a false parallel.

[@Mr.SkeletonBoy]

This is so underrated

[@YouTubeLate]

Teacher: what’s the moral of the story here, class? Everyone: Damocles is one obnoxious Roman.

[@chichiboypumpi]

Wise king, what a rarity, and Damocles represented most of us

[@aklaklamaster5348]

isaac reference

[@montecristo1845]

You know you have too much power when your only fear is losing it.

[@1963Iota]

My mind went right to the Rocky Horror Picture Show when I read the title of the video

[@undertaker9991]

Wow! How apparent this story is.

[@MizuLis]

luv it!

[@manueljosephcalma1559]

The king was a wise man. Good teacher.

[@trence5]

Similar to why Megatron kept Starscream around.

[@lilyliao9521]

moral of story: don't have a sword dangling above you

[@katiepersons6575]

I bet he'd feel pretty bad if he came back and found his best friend died to suit his making a "point" to him.

[@highlander2319]

When I heard this as a kid I thought every king had a literal sword hanging over them

[@Nickle_King]

The Greeks. Poets. Artists. Realists. Dreamers. Dancers. Warriors. Mercenaries. Philosophers. Statesmen. Peasant. All imperfect. All important. All immortalized for deeds done.

[@SulliMike23]

You have to admit, this story has a profound moral behind it. Especially when you enter the world of politics.

[@gt-gu7rb]

Always wondered about the origins of that saying. Thanks

[@Hillers62]

I remember the story as a child, but I didn't fully understand it...until now...

[@kevnar]

The cinderblock of Damocles works, too.

[@TheHonestPeanut]

Truly a story only one who's only known wealth and privilege could conjure up.

[@christopher2487]

Ahhh yes double the items

[@benjaminmorris4962]

"With great power comes great responsibility" - Uncle Ben

[@facundonicolasperez5061]

I entered the comments looking for The Binding of Isaac jokes, but apparently people actually likes history

[@lordmarshmal_0643]

Sorting by New can sometimes get you the good to be clear

[@jochum334]

thank you, I've never actually hear the tale before

[@skyguy675]

I meam... Damocles wasn't worried in the slightest of being king, it was the ruddy great sword dangling above him. If not for that, he'd probably love his time as king.

[@AriadnesClew82]

Thanks!

[@loading2463]

what a friend. He put his friend in danger just to prove a point

[@nancyM1313]

Excellent video👑🕊👑

[@bobisnotaperson]

2x items :)

[@ztsquid3000]

The moral here is that being Royal sucks sometimes.

[@jamesconkey1480]

Excellent Video 👍

[@SuperRvince]

In Spiderman's words: "With great power comes great responsibility"

[@omj170]

Thanks TFM

[@Cristopher.C]

so. was there an actual sword? I mean, I know it's a symbolic sword the King talks about, but did he set up an actual sword for Damocles day? or did Damocles just instantly realize the dangers of being king since minute one and started picturing it as the sword inmediately?

[@rinyaskyline]

It was an actual sword. Which, personally, kind of ruined the whole metaphor aspect of it. What if Damocles was completely unaware of the sword? He would have had the best day of his life. So while it was a good effort, Dionysus really didn't succeed in the metaphor, since it only applies to people actually care or are aware of the looming sword. Imagine if Damocles didn't know or care about the sword in this story, he wouldn't have learned jack.

[@oneproudpeacock6901]

When psychological experiments go essay back.

[@TheAshotovich]

First heard about thin in the Antifragile by N Taleb. This is not only about kings... safety is an illusion, nothing is really stable and there are always risks in life

[@petkofuchalski9809]

The only reason i here is becaue i googled "sword od democles" from The Binding of Issac lol. Not that i complain ofc. This video was amazing.

[@Madfox4you]

Μore success, more problems

[@nimmuraj]

King might have a sword that might fall on his head, but his courtiers' life is also depended upon king's mood.

[@emptyptr9401]

I mean, its not rly a fair comparison though. The king doesnt have a sword hanging above him at all times after all xd.

[@varyable7696]

Man should’ve just used book of shadows

[@infamoushacker4chan883]

One of my favorite Greek legends.

[@MrGiorgos1993]

The story was true back then.

[@shadowrfox]

A smart man would have order a servant bring a shield and put it over his head. But guess the moral of the story would have been lost if he had done that...

[@klausbrinck2137]

If guards take care, that he´s not allowed to leave the throne, then, I guess, guards can also take care, that he doesn´t get a shield... ;-)

[@lesfourmisnaine6400]

Great job

[@Ofxzh]

A lot more interesting than anything school could teach us