Damocles, Order of Merlin, was a potioneer who invented the Wolfsbane Potion. This achievement was likely the reason he was awarded an Order of Merlin.
Biography
Early life
While being educated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Damocles was a favourite student of Horace Slughorn, the Potions master, who remarked that he was an "outstanding" wizard. He may have been a member of the Slug Club and probably obtained a high graded O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. in Potions.
Later life
After graduating from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Damocles went on to become a Potioneer and invented the Wolfsbane Potion sometime after the mid-1970s. This potion, made up mostly of Aconite, was able to relieve (but not cure) the effects of Lycanthropy. The Potion's development led to werewolves gaining a better chance to integrate themselves into wizarding society, which presumably resulted in his Order of Merlin Award. Damocles had a nephew, Marcus Belby, who stated that his uncle and father did not get along. As such, Damocles had little contact with his relatives, and was not very well known to his nephew Marcus. This is probably why Marcus failed to be accepted into the Slug Club.
Etymology
Latinized form of the Greek name Δαμοκλης (Damokles), which was derived from δαμος (damos) "the people" (a Doric Greek variant of δημος (demos)) and κλεος (kleos) "glory". In Greek legend Damocles was a member of the court of Dionysius the Elder, the king of Syracuse. Damocles expressed envy of the king's station so Dionysius offered to switch roles with him for a day. To illustrate to Damocles the peril of a man in his position he suspended a sword over the throne.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (First mentioned)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) (Mentioned as Marcus Belby's "uncle")
