Who are Damon and Pythias ?
Damon and Pythias were students of the father of Philosophy, Pythagoras. A maxim of Pythagoras was that the two most excellent things for men are “to speak the truth and to render benefits to each other.” Two outstanding attributes of the Pythagoras Society were the marvelous friendship and loyalty which bound the brotherhood together. These attributes are remarkably demonstrated in the story of Damon and Pythias. Damon, a Senator, was opposed to the pretensions of the King of Syracuse, who had attained the throne by fraud. Because of this opposition, the tyrant King condemned Damon to death. Pythias volunteered to stand hostage for Damon so he could return to his home to bid his wife and child farewell. This story, handed down through the centuries, forms the basis for one of the most dramatic events of history and is exemplified in our ritual.
