Solon, << SOH luhn or SOH lon >> (639?-559? B.C.), was a famous lawmaker. He was known as one of the seven wise men of Greece.
Solon was born in Athens of a noble family. He first became known as a poet. His poems played a great part in urging the Athenians to regain the island of Salamis, which had long been in foreign hands. He was given command of the forces sent to take back the island, and he quickly conquered it. Afterward, Solon was elected an archon (chief government official) of Athens and was given authority to change the laws.
Athens was badly in need of political and economic reforms. A few powerful citizens held most of the wealth. The farmers had been forced to mortgage their lands and to borrow money, offering themselves and their families as security. Solon immediately passed a law that canceled all these debts and mortgages and freed those who had become slaves. He also changed the money system to make foreign trade easier. In addition, Solon made a law banning the export of grain.
Solon’s constitutional reforms redivided the citizens into four classes according to income. Citizens of all classes were allowed to participate in the assembly and the public law courts. Solon established a council of 400 to take over the political powers of the Areopagus and set up popular courts in which citizens could appeal the officials’ decisions (see Areopagus ). He kept the old provisions that allowed only the three higher classes to hold public office, and only the highest class to hold the archonship. These provisions continued the oligarchy, but his reforms were a step toward democracy.
Solon is said to have made the Athenians promise to keep his laws for 10 years. He then left Athens. When he returned 10 years later, he found the city fighting a civil war. Soon afterward, Pisistratus seized control. After opposing Pisistratus, Solon retired from public life.
