Damia, a surname of Cybele.——A woman to whom the Epidaurians raised a statue. Herodotus, bk. 5, ch. 82.
Damias, a statuary of Clitor, in Arcadia, in the age of Lysander. Pausanias, bk. 10, ch. 9.
Damippus, a Spartan taken by Marcellus as he sailed out of the port of Syracuse. He discovered to the enemy that a certain part of the city was negligently guarded, and in consequence of this discovery Syracuse was taken. Polyænus.
Damis, a man who disputed with Aristodemus the right of reigning over the Messenians. Pausanias, bk. 4, ch. 10.
Damnii, a people at the north of Britain.
Damnonii, a people of Britain, now supposed Devonshire.
Damnōrix, a celebrated Gaul in the interest of Julius Cæsar, &c.
Damo, a daughter of Pythagoras, who, by order of her father, devoted her life to perpetual celibacy, and induced others to follow her example. Pythagoras at his death entrusted her with all the secrets of his philosophy, and gave her the unlimited care of his compositions, under the promise that she never would part with them. She faithfully obeyed his injunctions; and though in the extremest poverty, she refused to obtain money by the violation of her father’s commands. Diogenes Laërtius, Pythagoras.
Damŏcles, one of the flatterers of Dionysius the elder, of Sicily. He admired the tyrant’s wealth, and pronounced him the happiest man on earth. Dionysius prevailed upon him to undertake for a while the charge of royalty, and be convinced of the happiness which a sovereign enjoyed. Damocles ascended the throne, and while he gazed upon the wealth and splendour that surrounded him, he perceived a sword hanging over his head by a horse hair. This so terrified him that all his imaginary felicity vanished at once, and he begged Dionysius to remove him from a situation which exposed his life to such fears and dangers. Cicero, Tusculanæ Disputationes, bk. 5, ch. 21.
Damocrătes, a hero, &c. Plutarch, Aristotle.