The Sword of Damocles
One of the cases I'm reading for Civil Procedure mentions the "Sword of Damocles." Here's at least one version of the story.
Four posts in two days. Stop the presses!
It's amazing to see two paragraphs of Cicero survive on the popular level for two millennia now, especially when most people may not otherwise be familiar with the life or writings of Rome's greatest orator, or even that the story is known through his voice. Of course stuff like this happens all the time in other situations as well.
I wonder how many people are familiar with Gyges, whom we have two stories about from both Plato and Herodotus? At least the author of The English Patient knew of Herodotus' version, as I just recently found out.
Posted by: Wayne at September 17, 2003 01:05 AMFour posts in two days. Stop the presses!
It's amazing to see two paragraphs of Cicero survive on the popular level for two millennia now, especially when most people may not otherwise be familiar with the life or writings of Rome's greatest orator, or even that the story is known through his voice. Of course stuff like this happens all the time in other situations as well.
I wonder how many people are familiar with Gyges, whom we have two stories about from both Plato and Herodotus? At least the author of The English Patient knew of Herodotus' version, as I just recently found out.
Posted by: Wayne at September 17, 2003 01:05 AMWayne,
As you know Wayne very few people appreciate antiquity, or history in general for that matter.
That's one of the many reasons it's so encouraging to see you gain such a rich education is such an important field.
When you have finished your degree, you best bring that knowledge to the world: share your wealth. Those will be exciting times.
Posted by: jeremy at September 20, 2003 02:23 PM