Story of Damon and Pythias

Damon, a Syracusan senator, is to be beheaded for treason, but the new king permits a general, Pythias, to pledge his own life for his friend to allow him to visit his wife and child before his execution. His motives are mixed, considering that Pythias's popularity with the masses could pose a threat to the king’s power, and he does expect the friendship to survive this test.

This book is a novelization of a silent film, a fairly common practice in the ’10s and ’20s, and the film was based on John Banim’s 1821 play of the same name. Some stills from the movie are included in the text source link.

Although the writing does not meet the highest editorial standards, the characters are well developed and the plot both well paced and plausible. The reading experience is an emotional workout. Whatever you may expect to find in this story, you are almost certain to find more than you bargained for. (Summary by Thomas Copeland)