Notes

Solon, Solon is known by many things, An Athenian statesman, lawmaker, a great poet. Solon is the man credited for laying the foundations for Athenian democracy. The Seven Wise Men of Greece; the men who helped form the political scene of ancient Greece, politicians, political philosophers, great statesmen.
The Seven Wise Men of Greece included the following: Thales of Miletus, Pittacus of Mytilene, Bias of Priene, Cleobulus, Myson of Chenae, Chilon of Sparta, and then there was Solon. Solon was born in Athens in 640 BC, and passed away in 558 BC. Solon is mainly remembered for his efforts to reverse moral decline in Athens.

Solon had traveled all around, visiting foreign civilizations, studying, and observing them, primarily the civilization’s economy and politics. Later, this wisdom would be very useful in his reconstruction of Athens.
Seisachtheia is a law implemented by Solon, which totally abolished and wiped all debts from people to other people, or the state, freeing all Athenians from debt that basically put them into slavery, and brought back all former Athenians who’d been sold or traded abroad. Solon also made major changes in the field of justice, favoring democracy and populism, giving even the poorest of citizens the opportunity to prosecute anyone in the “Areopagus”, or the high court, even a lord. Solon, however was not a absolute egalitarian, considering it a crime for a citizen not to take part in or join a political front, it was also considered a crime for a citizen not to be a part of the state.

Solon put a end to wealthy aristocrats controlling the government of Athens, and instituted a more populist, humane law code. Many Athenians were displeased with these new reforms, with complaints coming in from all sides. The nobles expected Solon would only make minor adjustments and changes, the poor intended for him to enforce a redistribution, giving everyone equal shares in land and freedom, and they wouldn’t even mind if he made himself a Tyrant to do so. Solon, however, had the principles of freedom, justice, and humanity, in mind. Solon, later feared legislative changes in his new policies, and in order not to be part of it, he exiled himself for 10 years from Athens.

When Solon finally returned to Athens, he found it in pristine condition thanks to his own laws, regulations, legislation, and policies. Solon, attempted to stop the future tyrant of Athens, Peisistratos from ever taking power, but Solon, reaching his 80s, died of old age, he died overall a very happy man in 558 BC. Most of Solon’s legislations were preserved, even after the end of the tyranical rule of Preisistratos.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Solon

http://www.ancient.eu/solon/

http://www.biography.com/people/solon-9488431

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5USBQVoeY6g