Solon, one of the seven sages of Athens, laid the groundwork for Athenian democracy; podcast discusses his life, reforms to tackle debt crisis, legal equality for lower classes, legacy opposing tyranny, and advice on lifelong learning.
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Quick takeaways
Solon laid the foundation for Athenian democracy, despite limited accurate historical records.
His strategic leadership in military conflicts and transformative reforms shaped Athenian politics.
Deep dives
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Solon's Background and Early Life
Solon, one of Greece's seven sages, is credited with laying the groundwork for Athenian democracy. Born around 640-630 BCE, Solon's family, though high-ranking, lacked wealth due to charitable donations. His initial career as a merchant highlighted his morals about wealth acquisition and interactions in business.
Solon's Military Leadership and Conflict Resolution
Solon's intervention in the conflict over Salamis showcased his strategic thinking and leadership skills. He orchestrated a tactical surprise and ground assault to reclaim the island, eventually persuading Athenians to adopt his military plan and win back Salamis.
Solon's Reforms and Legacy in Athens
Following his military triumph, Solon became the Archon of Athens and initiated transformative reforms. He eradicated debts, restructured the social class system, and introduced laws that aimed at fairness and stability in governance. Despite facing discord upon his return from travels, Solon's enduring legacy resonated in Athens' political landscape.
Solon is one of the seven sages of Athens, and he's credited with laying the groundwork for Athenian democracy. But most of what we know about him comes biographies written centuries after he lived.
Research:
Aristotle, tr. Sir Frederic G. Kenyon. “The Athenian Constitution.” https://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/athenian_const.1.1.html
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Draco". Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Feb. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Draco-Greek-lawgiver
Cadoux, T. J. “The Athenian Archons from Kreon to Hypsichides.” The Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol. 68, 1948, pp. 70–123. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/626301
Cartwright, Mark. “Solon.” World History Encyclopedia. March 10, 2016. https://www.worldhistory.org/solon/
Forrest, W. G., and D. L. Stockton. “The Athenian Archons: A Note.” Historia: Zeitschrift Für Alte Geschichte, vol. 36, no. 2, 1987, pp. 235–40. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4436007
French, A. “Solon and the Megarian Question.” The Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol. 77, 1957, pp. 238–46. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/629363
Gill, N.S. "Solon's Reforms and the Rise of Democracy in Athens." ThoughtCo, Aug. 30, 2020, thoughtco.com/solons-reforms-democracy-121062.
Hölkeskamp, Karl-Joachim. “What’s in a Code? Solon’s Laws between Complexity, Compilation and Contingency.” Hermes, vol. 133, no. 3, 2005, pp. 280–93. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4477659
Leão, Delfim F. and P.J. Rhodes. “The Laws of Solon.” I.B. Tauris & Co. Ltd. London. 2015.
Linforth, Ivan Mortimer. “Solon the Athenian.” University of California Press. 1919. Accessed online: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=_NENAAAAIAAJ&rdid=book-_NENAAAAIAAJ&rdot=1
Plutarch, and Aubrey Stewart, MA. “Plutarch’s Lives.” George Bell & Sons. London. 1894. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/14033/14033-h/14033-h.htm#LIFE_OF_SOLON
Plutarch, and John Dryden. “Plutarch’s Lives.” Little, Brown & Co. Boston. 1895. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/plutarchslivest02clougoog/page/n7/mode/1up