The Reforms of the Ariopagus

Solon's legal reform program marked a major change in the administration of law. The right of any citizen, not just the wrong person or their family, to seek legal redress in the courts marks a fundamental change in Athenian law. Public prosecution was now considered to be a more fairer system for delivering justice in certain matters than private arbitration. Solon probably expected the Ariopagus to use this new power to protect his reforms. Some scholars have argued that in actuality there was no right of appeal for my magistrate's judgement as long as his imposed penalty was within reasonable limits for the crime.