Damocles Rowle

Minister Damocles Rowle was an anti-Muggle wizard politician who had risen tno the rank of Minister for Magic from 1718 to 1726. Rowle was responsible for the creation of the wizard prison known as Azkaban.

Biography
He was elected on a platform of being "tough on Muggles". At the time, plans for a purpose-built wizarding prison, located on some Hebridean island, had been made. However, Rowle scrapped the plans and insisted on using Azkaban instead, which had previously been a Dementor-infested fortress used by the insane dark wizard Ekrizdis in the 15th century and was now abandoned. He claimed that the Dementors populating the island could be harnessed as guards, saving the Ministry time, expense, and trouble, and thus being an advantage. Rowle carried out his plan in spite of protests from experts on both Dementors and buildings with a dark history, such as Azkaban. Many prisoners were placed there, and even those who had not been mad and dangerous when they came to Azkaban swiftly became so. Yet, none of them ever emerged while he was the Minister.

He was first elected as Minister in 1718 and was re-elected at least once.

His actions as Minister led to him being censured by the International Confederation of Wizards, and he was therefore forced to step down, turning over the office to Perseus Parkinson.

Family members

 * Thorfinn Rowle (possibly)
 * Rowle family (extended relatives)

Etymology
Damocles is an anecdotal figure from Sicily. Supposedly a courier of Dionysius II of Syracuse, Damocles commented on his king's fortunate position. Dionysius offered to switch positions with Damocles and offered to let him sit on the throne. Dionysius then arranged for a heavy sword to be suspended above the throne by only a single tail hair of a horse. This allegory is meant to illustrate that, with great fortune, comes great peril and anxiety. Damocles Rowle can be said to exemplify this allegory, as he was censured and forced to retire as Minister.