Solon – Biography, Philosophy, Reforms, Accomplishments, & Quotes

Athenians’ reactions to Solon’s groundbreaking reforms

By the year 580 BCE, Athens had successfully raided itself off many draconian laws. The society was gradually making strides as it was built upon a hierarchical distribution of political responsibility. Those in turn spurred economic progress.

Regardless, not all Athenians were pleased with Solon’s attempt to make the society fair and just. It’s been stated that criticism of Solon’s reforms came from almost every class of the Athenian society. Solon’s quest to make everyone happy basically left no one group completely satisfied.

Athenian nobles and high borns were angry by the extent of political and economic changes made by Solon. The poor Athenians had very high expectations, hoping that the lands that Solon redeemed would be redistributed to them.

Some poor Athenians even hoped that Solon would make himself a tyrant and hold immense power to fight on behalf of the cause of the poor. As it turned out, none of those groups had their expectations fully met: Solon chose not to be a tyrant; and he definitely did not redistribute any of those lands to the poor. Solon was more focused on creating a free society based on just and human laws. He took cognizance of the fact that the society that he created would not be a completely egalitarian one.

In spite of those disgruntled classes, Solon’s reforms were accepted and remained in place for well over a century.

Solon of Athens

Solon’s travels

Perhaps out of fear that he might cave into agitations by some classes of Athenians to become a tyrant, Solon left Athens after his reforms were instituted. The Athenian poet and lawmaker is said to have traveled to places like Cyprus and Egypt. We know of this because of the references that he made in many of his poems that survived through oral tradition.

In one of Solon’s poem (although authenticity is still doubtful), a very wealthy king of Lydia by the name of Croesus praises Solon for changing his notion on what constituted happiness. According to Greek writer and historian Herodotus, Croesus is said to have learned from Solon that true happiness was not guaranteed by one’s wealth or power possessed.

Return to Athens and later years

The society that Solon returned to was slightly different from the one he had left. Upon his return he noticed how citizens grouped on the basis of regional factions, which were headed by wealthy and powerful nobles. One such noble was his friend Peisistratus – a former general in the war for Salamis. While Solon was away, Peisistratus had consolidated his power and rose to become the leader of northeastern Attica.

Worried by his Peisistratus’ desire for absolute power, Solon set out to warn former lawmakers in the general assembly. Instead his warnings were dismissed and ridiculed as the absurd ramblings of a man not in touch with the society. Lo and behold, Peisistratus went on to become a tyrant around 560 BCE, thus proving Solon right.