From Rocky Horror to Roman philosophy, the Sword of Damocles has been slicing through pop culture for centuries. This parable, popularised by Cicero in 45 BC, tells of a king who teaches his sycophant Damocles a lesson in power's perils. The king lets Damocles sit on the throne, but with a cruel caveat - a sword dangling overhead by a single horse hair.

This anecdote has maintained varied interpretations throughout time such as the imminent threat of death, the pressure of holding a position of power, or even that we don't understand the hidden anxieties of those who are seemingly more fortunate. The story has resonated throughout history, even making its way into modern politics when JFK used it to describe the nuclear threat hanging over the Cold War era.