Who was Pythias mean?

Pythias is the name of a man in a greek legend, about how Pythias was sentenced to death, but asked if he could visit his family. The king agreed on the condition that Pythias's friend Damon took his place in jail, and if Pythias didn't return by a certain day, Damon would die. Pythias returned at the last second, and the king was so amazed by his loyalty and friendship that he sent both free.