达摩克利斯之剑的英语典故
每一种语言都可以反映出一种文化，了解一些文化背景无疑对语言学习有很大的好处。所以今天就和小编一起学习达摩克利斯之剑的英语典故吧。
The Sword of Damocles
达摩克里斯之剑——喻临头的危险，源于希腊传说，古Syracuse国王命其廷丞达摩克里斯坐在以一根头发悬挂的剑下，以示君王多危。此典出于古希腊的一个历史故事：公元前四世纪西西里东部的叙拉古王迪奥尼修斯（公元前430－367）打击了贵族势力，建立了雅典式的民主政权，但遭到了贵族的不满和反对，这使他感到虽然权力很大，但地位却不可靠。有一次他向宠臣达摩克利斯谈了这个问题，并且用形象的办法向他表明自己的`看法。
他为了满足一下宠臣达摩克利斯的贪欲，把宫殿交托给他，并赋予他有完全的权力来实现自己的任何欲望。这个追求虚荣、热中势利的达摩克利斯在大庆宴会时，抬头看到在自己的坐位上方天花板下，沉甸甸地倒悬着一把锋利的长剑，剑柄只有一根马鬃系着，眼看就要掉在头上，吓得他离席而逃。这时迪奥尼修斯王便走出来说道："（达摩克利斯头上）这把利剑就是每分钟都在威胁王上的危险象征，至于王上的幸福和安乐，只不过是外表的现象而已。" 后引申为做坏事的人随时都有可能受到惩罚。
英语版
Dionysius was a fourth century B.C. tyrant of Syracuse. To all appearances he was very rich and comfortable, with all the luxuries money could buy, tasteful clothing and jewelry, and delectable food. He even had court flatterers (adsentatores) to inflate his ego. One of these ingratiators was the court sycophant Damocles. Damocles used to make comments to the king about his wealth and luxurious life. One day when Damocles complimented the tyrant on his abundance and power, Dionysius turned to Damocles and said, "If you think I'm so lucky, how would you like to try out my life?"
Damocles readily agreed, and so Dionysius ordered everything to be prepared for Damocles to experience what life as Dionysius was like. Damocles was enjoying himself immensely until he noticed a sharp sword hovering over his head, which was suspended from the ceiling by a horse hair. This, the tyrant explained to Damocles, was what life as ruler was really like.
Damocles, alarmed and quickly revising his idea of what made up a good life, asked to be excused. He then eagerly returned to his poorer, but safer life.