Plato travels in about 388 BCE to…

Plato travels in about 388 BCE to Italy and Sicily, where he forms a friendship with Dionysius of Syracuse and his brother-in-law Dion.

Pythias of Syracuse, implicated in a plot against the tyrant, is sentenced to death.

Before the execution, he receives permission from Dionysius to set his affairs in order, on the condition that his best friend Damon take his place as a pledge against his return.

Pythias is delayed and returns only moments before the execution of Damon is to take place.

This display of devotion so impresses Dionysius that he pardons Pythias. (The two comrades, celebrated for their loyalty to each other, will come to symbolize friendship.)