GREEK FIDELITY
Whenever a discussion of fidelity and friendship arises, the story of Damon and Pithias is usually mentioned. And rightfully so, for it is one of the classic statements of fidelity and true allegiance. Back in the Fourth Century B.C., a ruling tyrant named Dionysius sentenced one of his subjects to death, a philosopher named Pithias. He felt Pithias was conspiring against him. Pithias begged for some time to allow him to return home and arrange some family affairs. He offered to leave one of his friends in the hands of Dionysius as a pledge for his return by an appointed time, and who would be willing, in case Pithias broke his word, to die in his stead. The appointed time for the return of Pithias arrived, and public expectation ran high as to the outcome of this singular affair. The day drew to a close; no Pithias came; and Damon was in the act of being led to execution, when, all of…
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