Solon's Reforms: What Happened
In 594 BC, Athens was on the edge of civil war. Many poor farmers had fallen so deep into debt that they lost their land or were sold into slavery, and tension between rich and poor was explosive. The Athenians turned to Solon, a respected statesman and poet, and gave him special powers to reform the city. His most famous measure was the seisachtheia, or shaking off of burdens, which canceled debts that were secured on a person's land or freedom and banned enslaving Athenians for debt. He brought back citizens who had been sold abroad. Solon also replaced Draco's harsh laws with a new, more humane legal code, keeping only the homicide law. He divided citizens into four classes based on wealth rather than birth, allowing wealthy non-aristocrats to hold office, and gave all citizens the right to take part in the assembly and appeal to the courts. Solon's reforms did not create democracy, and Athens soon fell under the tyrant Peisistratos, but they laid the foundations on which Athenian democracy was later built.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Solon?
Solon was an Athenian statesman and poet who was given special powers in 594 BC to reform Athens. He is remembered as one of the Seven Sages of Greece and a founder of Athenian democracy.
What was the seisachtheia?
The seisachtheia, meaning shaking off of burdens, was Solon's measure canceling debts secured on land or personal freedom. It also banned enslaving Athenians for debt and freed those already enslaved.
Why were Solon's reforms needed?
Many poor farmers had fallen deep into debt, losing their land or being sold into slavery. Tension between rich and poor had brought Athens to the edge of civil war.
How did Solon change Athenian politics?
Solon divided citizens into four classes based on wealth rather than birth, letting wealthy non-aristocrats hold office. He also gave all citizens the right to attend the assembly and appeal to the courts.
Did Solon create democracy in Athens?
Not fully. His reforms did not create democracy, and Athens soon fell under the tyrant Peisistratos. However, they laid the foundations on which Cleisthenes built Athenian democracy in 508 BC.
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