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

Bust of Solon

Solon – History and Accomplishments | Known as the “Wise lawmaker of Athens”, Solon’s reforms forbade the situation where the borrower would be enslaved as a result of his or her inability to pay a debt.

A member of the Seven Wise Men of Greece, Solon was a renowned Greek political philosopher, poet and statesman who played a crucial role in laying the pillars and ideas of democracy, which in turn brought to an end the exclusive reign of aristocrats in government. The Athenian, who was also a renowned poet of his era, was famous for introducing human and civil codes that helped decentralize power from the high-born Athenian aristocrats and nobility to other classes of the society.

Solon: Biography and Facts

Born: c. 630 BCE

Place of birth: Athens

Died: c. 560 BCE

Died in: Cyprus

Place of birth: Athens, Greece

Most known as: One of the Seven Wise Men of Greece

Most famous for: putting in place democratic systems

Achievements: Ending Draconian laws; laying the foundations and ideas for Athenian democracy

The poet and statesman Solon is said to have come from a noble family with slightly moderate wealth and influence in Athens. According to the Greek philosopher and writer Plutarch, Solon was the son of Execestides. Plutarch also stated in his book Solon that Solon was related to the Greek tyrant Peisistratos.

Based on the inferences made from oral traditions of the era, it’s been stated that Solon was likely a merchant, traveling all across Greece.

Did you know:  The English word ‘solon’, which means “wise lawmaker”, was derived from Solon’s name?

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