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Citation Information
How to Cite
Manser, Martin H. "Androcles and the lion." Writer's Reference Center. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 17 Apr. 2025. <http://fofweb.infobase.com/wrc/Detail.aspx?iPin=DOA00127>.
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Androcles and the lion

Pronunciation pronunciation key
andrăkleez

Definition 
Legendary incident illustrating the moral that those who behave kindly to others may reap the benefit of their generosity later. Androcles (or Androclus) was a Roman slave who was sentenced to be killed by wild beasts in the circus. When he was placed in the arena with a fierce lion, however, the lion did not kill him but greeted him with every sign of friendship. It transpired that some time earlier Androcles, having escaped from his master, had befriended the lion in the wilderness by removing a thorn from the animal's paw, thus relieving its agony. Duly impressed, the authorities released Androcles and presented him with the lion. The legend is perhaps best known today through its dramatization as Androcles and the Lion (1912) by British writer George Bernard Shaw. It was like Androcles and the lion: The magistrate descended from his bench and warmly embraced the felon who had been brought in for admonishment.

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