Read this excerpt from the story.

but damon did not want pythias to die. he pleaded with him to allow the execution to continue, and dionysius watched in disbelief as each friend eagerly sought to give up his life for the other.

how does this event affect the plot of the story?

the argument between the two friends frustrates dionysius, so he sentences both men to death.

the crowd is so impressed by the bravery of the two men that they beg dionysius to free pythias.

dionysius is so moved by the bond of friendship between the two men that he pardons pythias.

the disagreement between the two friends creates a distraction, so pythias is able to escape.