What was the Sword of Damocles?

Newt, I agree, every version I've read is that Damocles, far from being obsequious ,kept telling the Court just how easy the king had it, so the king told Damocles he could take his place for the night and had him sat in the king's place at the table, with the sword overhead.

Really the king was pointing out the precariousness of his own position as king...