Solon

For other uses, see Solon (disambiguation).

Solon

Solon (Greek: Σόλων, ca. 638 BC–558 BC) was a famous Athenian lawmaker and Lyric poet.

Solon began a series of political reforms that greatly increased citizen participation in Athenian government. He said that he "stood with a strong shield before both parties [the common people and the powerful] and allowed neither to win an unfair victory." His reforms, unfortunately, did not please the wealthy nor the poor. He left Athens for ten years to travel. He died not long after his return. However, he spent that period warning people against rulers who would not uphold his reforms.

Origins

Solon was born in 638 BC, in Athens. He was son of Execestides, who descended from Codrus, who had been the last King of Athens. Solon's mother was cousin, to Peisistratos' mother, so both Solon and Peisistratos were friends, since childhood. However, although Solon's family was among the Athenian noblest ones, both fortune & power were rather moderate.

Being Foreign Merchant

Initially, Solon worked as foreign merchant. Beside any other personal motivation, which could have driven him into this activity, Solon was eager to learn things. Indeed, in these years, --socially-- this activity had quite good reputation because it allowed to civilize barbaric tribes, to befriend to kings, and to learn much and, by these reasons, it was engaged by much important Athenian.

His Poetry

Solon began writing poetry for his own entertainment although --soon-- he introduced much philosophical element. Then, the poetry reflected Solon's political activities, instructing Athens about the best political course under some circumstance. By his poems, Solon expressed reluctance, for money, because:

"Both types of people are equally rich.

"Whereas some have Gold, broad acres, corn, & wine;

"the other people have clothes, food, wife, & youthful strength."

Also, Solon cleared that

"I desire wealth, which isn't obtained, by deceive,

"because people, whose money is basely gained, end cursed."

Being among the Greek Wise Men

Solon was among the greatest Seven Sages of Greece. They met mostly at at Apollo's temple, Delphi, which was central to Greece and whose city was important. Mainly, the Wise Men formulated the maxims which interpreted the Greek pythias' telling. At that time, other important Wise Man was Thales of Miletus.

Urging, for Salamis

Already, Athens had surrendered Salamis Island to Megara, after years of bloody war. The Athenians were so tired that a law forbade that any Athenian may suggest warring again or death penalty would be suffered. However, Solon noted that much youngster was eager to fight so, feigning insanity before his family, he began writing a poem, which urged for recapturing Salamis. After it was finished, Solon rushed to the marketplace and he read the poem, before a crowd. Afterward, his friends congratulated him whereas Peisistratos improvised a speech which stirred the attending people. Consequently, abrogating the old law, they renewed the war and Solon was named the expedition's leader. Two versions described the actions. In any case, Solon captured a Megarian vessel and it was embarked by concealed Greek soldiers, who struck Salamis city by surprise, effectively. After the capture, Solon built a temple which worshipped Ares, at Skiradion hill, at which the Athenians had gathered victoriously. However, as Megara insisted warring for possessing Salamis, --eventually-- Spartan mediation was agreed. In the trial, Solon defended the Athenian claim, winning the dispute. Consequently, Salamis was given to Athens and Solon gained both much more reputation and power.

Chief Archon

Solon had been solving some Athenian issues correctly whilst Athens was submerged in a big crisis. Much unrest existed, about the loan system, which was ruled by unscrupulous wealthy creditors. From their annual revenues, all farmer earmarked a sixth to his creditor whereas a more fair new land redistribution was desired. In Athens, the poor people were usually sold as slaves abroad if they didn't pay their loans. Simultaneously, the nation desired settling its Constitution definitively but each Athenian political party desired a different government system, ranging from democracy, to oligarchy, including mixed systems.

Then, people believed that Solon was the balanced political figure for reforming since neither he was a repressive rich Athenian nor he was a poor individual. Thus, in 594 BC, after Archon Philombrotus, Solon was named Eponymous Archon, of Attica. Indeed, all Athenians were so enthusiastic that people began requesting that Solon might be enthroned. Though, --unfalteringly-- Solon refused, explaining that

"although monarchy is a pleasant place; no way out exists."

Solon's first reforms spurned the traditional Athenian loan system. He softened its general terms and --henceforth-- he forbade that people's lives guaranteed the contract. Accordingly, the interest rates were reduced by the "Relief from Burden" --Seisachtheia--. For this, Solon enlarged both the Athenian measure system & its currency's value. Now, a mina represented 100 drachmas, instead of 73, so people paid the same amount although it was cheaper. Additionally, Solon recalled all Athenian who had been enslaved and exiled, freeing them. However, --also-- Solon suffered public humiliation after, deceitfully, his friends enriched themselves. Knowing the impending reform, they rushed, getting credits and buying much land, so --afterward-- they avoided repaying such fortunes. Popularly, these people were called "The Swindlers." Personally, Solon could avoid the scandal, repaying a great loan --which was of 10 talents, approximately--. The reforms weren't well received until --short time afterward-- people began perceiving that --indeed-- the Seisachteia worked finely. Then, --even-- a public sacrifice was performed, honoring the reforms. Solon's constitution was later called the Solonian Constitution.

By such success, --soon-- Athens commended a reform spate, to Solon, comprising absolutely all Athenian institution. Solon received full power, to do so. Solon's first decision was to repeal Draco's laws, which prescribed capital punishment, virtually for any crime. Solon limited such condemnation only to murder.

Subsequently, Solon ordered a national census, measuring Athens wealth. The results outlined the Timokratia, which is an oligarchic social system. Accordingly with it, Solon divided the population, into four classes:

• Pentakosiomedimnol
  • "men of 500 bushel"
  • Annually, these people produced 500 bushel --either of dry things or of liquid ones--.
• Hippeis
  • "knights"
  • For war, these people could support both their own equipment & a horse.
  • This was valued, at a 300 bushel production --annually--.
• Zeugital
  • For working, these people had two beasts --minimally--.
  • This was valued, at a 200 bushel production --annually--.
• Thetes
  • These people were manual workers.

N.G.L. Hammond supposes that he instituted a graduated tax upon these upper classes at a rate of 6:3:1, with the lowest class of thetes paying nothing in taxes but being ineligible for elected office.

Solon distributed the Athenian magistracies among the aristocracy although --also-- Solon integrated the common Athenian, into their Constitution. Solon described this in a poem.

"I gave all needed strength, to the common people.

"Yet, I kept the nobles, with strong power.

"Thus, they are reciprocally shielded, from any violence.

"They can't wrong, to each other."

Accordingly, Solon didn't allow that a Thete might be magistrate but both a Thete could attend public assembies & a Thete could be juryman. The latter was extremely important because, henceforth, most disputes were settled by jury. Additionally, after a magistrate settled, people had a final appeal.

Solon instituted the Areopagus, which was formed by politicians, who had already been Eponymous Archon. It was the Athenian Senate. However, --simultaneously-- Solon created the Athenian lower chamber, whose name was "Council of the Four Hundred" or Boule. It was constituted by all four Athenian tribes, which sent hundred men apiece. The lower chamber deliberated, about absolutely all theme, which would be considered by the Areopagus --subsequently--. It is accepted that these institutions were the origin, to the modern Occidental democratic system.

Solon encouraged foreign trade for Attica, which was submerged in poverty. He ruled so the Arepagus could inquire about each Athenian's property, punishing any unproductive resource. Also, only oil could be exported.

Other issues were:

• regulation of marriages
• regime of copulation, inside marriage
• conduct, toward dead people
• conduct, in public places
• institution of personal testament
• social female conduct
• women's lives, in general
• regulation of filial obligation, to maintain a father economically
• adultery
• prizes, for winners in international sporting contests
• rewards, for killing regional savage animals
• placing of wells, trees, trenches, pits, and industrial hives
• domestic animals
• regime for migrants, who arrived to Athens, to live
• regime for the Athenian community dinning table

Additionally, Solon modified the Athenian calendar.

Solon ordered that, in effect, his laws had to endure for 100 years and, effectively, they were sworn by all Athenian institutions, both at the Areopagus & at the Agora.

Tripping for Ten Years

However, --soon-- Solon felt quite bothered because, always, people were crowding around him, questioning, criticizing, and so forth, he nuked them. Thus, Solon excused that he had to sail abroad, by private commercial reasons, for ten years. He expected that, afterward, people would be finally accustomed to his code of laws. Solon exacted the promise of the city that his constitution would not change unless he were to change it himself and he traveled to Egypt, Cyprus and Lydia.

Solon began his trip in Egypt, spending some time at Nile's outlet. Then, he visited Heliopolis where he discussed philosophy, with Psenophis. Subsequently, at Sais, Solon visited Neith's temple where the local priests, who were quite renowned in Egypt, described the Atlantis' island tale to him. Solon wrote this history as poem, down on a manuscript, so Athens may know it. Plato used this manuscript, in his dialogues Timaios and Critias.

Then, Solon sailed toward Cyprus. A local king, whose name was Philocyprus, received him at his royal capital, which was on the Clarius river. As --geographically-- the city was too contracted, Solon suggested that a whole new one may be erected elsewhere. Personally, Solon oversaw the building. When it was finished, the new city was regionally envied and much individual desired living there. The new royal city was baptized Soloi, after Solon.

Afterward, Solon was invited to Sardis, Lydia, by King Croesus. The following story has been quite famous, particularly in ancient times. Among other historians, both Herodotus & Plutarch have presented it. Solon walked through the lavishly magnificent palace, with unexcited attitude --which was due, to his Athenian culture--. At this behavior, Croesus was so surprised that he began blustering, exhibiting all his treasures to Solon. Though, --calmly-- Solon maintained his stance, still. Then, --sharply-- Croesus asked to Solon whether Solon had known any other person, who had been happier than the Lydian king. Solon told about an Athenian, who had been happy by his own good familiar life, reasoning as follows:

"There are good reasons—first, his city was prosperous, and he had fine sons, and lived to see children born to each of them, and all these children surviving; secondly, he had wealth enough by our standards; and he had a glorious death."

Desperately, the surprised king asked again whether Solon had known other person, excluding such Athenian --now--. Consequently, Solon told a similar Athenian tale. It was about two individuals, who had loved their mother intensely, until death. Ultimately, Croesus asked directly whether Solon considered that the Lydian king was happy or not. Solon responded:

"Heaven endowed the Greeks with moderate gifts... --Thus-- ...Our wisdom is both cautious & homely cast. It bears neither royal nor magnificent character... --Besides-- ...Strange things await every man, in the unknown future, and we think that a man has only been happy if his life had fortunate termination."

Croesus was quite angered although it was recalling this story that Croesus saved from execution when his kingdom was overcome by Cyrus' invading Persians.

Last Years

Solon returned to Athens in the 560s BC, and was associated with Peisistratus (see below), whom Aristotle describes as an extreme democrat and the leader of the Highland Party. However, Solon opposed Peisistratus' moves to take control of Athens, and again left the city when Peisistratus became Tyrant. Peisistratus retained much of the constitution, presiding over what Aristotle describes as a constitutional government. He showed Solon considerable respect, either out of respect for the older man's wisdom, or out of regard for their former love. Solon returned during Peisistratus' second period of rule and died soon after.

Accomplishments

Politics

Solon introduced the trial by jury; military obligations were codified based on class; the Council of the Four Hundred (or Boule) and the Areopagus were established as the main consultative and administrative bodies; he introduced many new laws, especially those covering debt and taxation; he remodeled the calendar; he created a court for the lowest classes called the Heliaia and allowed it to audit those passing from the office of archon for each year; he regulated weights and measures.

Solon also encouraged a growth in industry by offering citizenship to skilled foreign laborers and created a law which ensured fathers, unless farmers, passed on the skills of their profession to their sons. His laws were written onto special wooden cylinders and placed in the Acropolis.

Pederasty

He is also credited with being the founder of the pederastic educational tradition in Athens. He composed poetry praising the love of boys and instituted legislation to control abuses against freeborn boys. Specifically, he excluded slaves from the wrestling halls and from pederasty. According to the later histories of Plutarch and Aelian, Solon had the future Tyrant Peisistratus as an eromenos and later appointed him as a commander in the conquest of Salamis in the 590s BC, however Aristotle claims that Peisistratus would have been too young at the time.

Trivia

• Indeed, Solon had vainly attempted so his laws might be written as poem. He wrote the first lines, which said:

"To Zeus --who is the great divine Cronus' son--, I pray

"so my laws are favored, by him."

• Solon wrote his laws onto triangular wooden tables, which folded around an axis.

Editions

Solon's works are preserved only in fragments.

• Martin Litchfield West, Iambi et elegi Graeci ante Alexandrum cantati2 : Callinus. Mimnermus. Semonides. Solon. Tyrtaeus. Minora adespota,, Oxonii: e typographeo Clarendoniano 1972, revised edition 1992 x + 246 pp.
• T. Hudaon-Williams, Early Greek Elegy: Ekegiac Fragments of Callinus, Archilochus, Mimmermus, Tyrtaeus, Solon, Xenophanes, and Others, # Taylor & Francis (1926), ISBN 0824077733.
• Christoph Mülke, Solons politische Elegien und Iamben : (Fr. 1 - 13, 32 - 37 West), Munich (2002), ISBN 3598777264.
• Eberhard Ruschenbusch Nomoi : Die Fragmente d. Solon. Gesetzeswerkes, Wiesbaden : F. Steiner (1966).
• H. Miltner Fragmente / Solon, Vienna (1955)
• Eberhard Preime, Dichtungen : Sämtliche Fragmente / Solon Munich (1940).

External links

• Plutarch, Parallel Lives, Solon
• Re-examining Solon's ideas on sortition for safeguarding democracy