Damis
Δᾶμις, (Δάμις).
1. A Messenian, who was one of the competitors for the throne of Messenia on the death of Euphaes, when Aristodemus was elected, about B. C. 729. On the death of Aristodemus (about B. C. 723), Damis was chosen general with supreme power, but without the title of king. He failed, however, to restore the fallen fortunes of his country, and on his death, which took place soon after, Messenia submitted to the Lacedaemonians. (Paus. 4.10, 13.)
2. An Athenian, son of Icesias, was sent by his countrymen to intercede with the Romans on behalf of the Aetolians, B. C. 189, and is said to have been very instrumental, through his eloquence, in obtaining peace for the latter. (Plb. 22.14.) He is called Leon by Livy (38.10; comp. 35.50.)
3. An Epicurean, introduced several times by Lucian as an irreligious and profligate man. He appears to be the same who is spoken of (Dial. Mort. 27) as a wealthy Corinthian, and who is said to have been poisoned by his own son. Harles however supposes, that the Damis in question may have been a fictitious character. (Ad Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. iii. p. 602, and the passages of Lucian there referred to.)
4. An Assyrian, who lived at Nineveh, where he became acquainted with Apollonius Tyanaeus [see p. 242b.], whom he accompanied in his travels. Of these he wrote an account, in which he included also the discourses and prophecies of his master. This work seems to have been the basis of the life of Apollonius by Philostratus. The style of it shewed traces of the author's country and of his education among barbarians. (Suid. s. v. Δάμις; Voss. de Hist. Graec. p. 250, ed. Westermann, and the authorities there referred to.) [E.E]
- disputes claim of Aristodemus to throne: Paus. 4.10.5
- courted by Aristodemus: Paus. 4.10.6
- commands Messenian troops: Paus. 4.11.3, Paus. 4.13.5