Introduction
Solon, a Greek statesman, and lawmaker lived in Athens between the 6th century BCE. He was from an aristocratic family but his enduring legacy was one of fighting for justice and equality in society through legal reforms. Before he assumed office, Greek society was engulfed in economic, social, and political crises owing to the hoarding of land by aristocrats, debt enslavement, and the lack of political rights for the downtrodden. Thus, his election as archon was done with an understanding, that he would enact reforms and solve these crises. Consequently, he enacted legal reforms that fundamentally altered society making it more equal and just. However, some critics perceive his actions as superficial because they failed to address structural problems in Athenian society at the time. Despite criticism of the effectiveness of his reforms, Solon made Athens economically, socially, and politically equitable.
Discussion
Land ownership in Athens in the 6th century BCE was largely skewed towards the aristocracy and the wealthy land owners. The poor owned small portions of land which contributed to a cycle of poverty that Solon tried to eliminate. Specifically, the first group of landowners was the aristocrats who generally used it for large-scale agricultural production (Tr). The control of these large tracts of land gave the aristocrats massive economic power in addition to their outsized political power. Poorer citizens of Athens were the second group of owners but they owned small plots of land (Tr). These plots of land were a donation to the poor to prevent them from becoming completely destitute. However, these plots were often inadequate to cater to their needs and most ended up working as artisans and laborers to meet their daily needs. Other than the land owned by the aristocrats and small landowners, there were common lands where hunting, grazing, and gathering would be carried out. The common lands were important to the poorer citizens as they served as important food sources (Tr). However, the aristocracy often attempted to encroach on these lands leading to conflict between the various factions of society in Athens.
The Athenian society was hierarchical with the aristocrats occupying the top and the various types of poor people below. The term aristocrat referred to rich landowners who were also politically connected and influential in Athenian society (Plutarch.p55) (par 4). These aristocrats owned most of the lands in Athens which also gave them economic power. This category of people was born in wealthy families where they inherited power and wealth. In addition, there were at least two types of poor people sharecroppers and borrowers. The sharecropper had little to no land possession but they would cultivate crops on rented land from the aristocrats and share a sixth of their products with them. The produce from the rented farms allowed them to have just enough for food and crops with nothing left for their development (Tr). The second category of peasants was the borrowers. This category borrowed money from wealthy landowners and defaulted on their obligations. They would often pledge their lives, family members, and children as collateral, and in case of a default, they ended up being slaves (Tr). Therefore, Athenian society comprised aristocrats, sharecroppers, and borrowers.
In one of the most remarkable changes in how society was governed at the time, Solon instituted measures to ensure a more just and equal society. These reforms targeted the inequalities that existed in Athens at the time including land ownership and debt slavery. To help the borrowers, he canceled some of the debts they owed the aristocrats. This intervention freed them from slavery and improved their economic condition. In addition, he passed a law that banned enslavement if an individual was unable to service their debt (Plutarch.pg57) (par 4). Another intervention by Solon to help the sharecropper was the passage of a law that limited the amount of land that could be owned by a single individual (Plutarch.pg57) (par 5). This law was meant for the consolidation of economic and political power by the aristocrats who owned huge tracts of land. Further economic and political measures were taken by Solon including his idea of a new economic class. This new class of people would be composed of borrowers and sharecroppers. Solon granted them political rights and allowed them to participate in trade and commerce. As a result, their economic condition improved significantly compared to their previous fate. Thus, Solon aimed to create a just political and economic system that was not held by the richest few.
One of the most notable conflicts occurred between Cylon and Megacles in Athens in the 7th century BCE. Cylon was an Olympic victor and an aristocrat who sought to consolidate his power and influence over the city-state. After consultation with Oracle Delphis, he was advised to seize the Acropolis in Athens which would allow him to rule over the city without any oversight (Plutarch.pg53) (par 3). To accomplish his goal of becoming a tyrant, he brought in his tyrant father-in-law Theagenes, who was a tyrant in his right in Megara to help him launch a coup. However, his plan to seize power by force failed which prompted his supporters and co-conspirators to seek refuge in the Temple of Athena. One of Athens’ richest aristocrats Megacles promised the co-conspirators safe passage out of the temple.
However, instead of a safe passage, his supporters attacked and massacred most of the people who had taken refuge in the temple. Megacles belonged to the Alcmaeonid family which was one of the richest and most politically connected families in Athens. The events following the coup attempt promoted widespread controversy and conflict in Athens. Some believed that the family had prompted the gods to curse Athens. Eventually, the Alcmaeonid were expelled from Athens for their role in the massacre (Plutarch.pg67) (par3). Thus, from this conflict between Cylon and Megacles, it is apparent that power and influence were the two main reasons for conflict in Athens.
Solon passed four laws during his reign that cemented his reform legacy. These laws included the legalization of loans, prohibition on exporting agricultural goods, law on political equity, and Seisachtheia. Seisachtheia colloquially meant “shaking off of burden” and was meant to abolish the practice of debt slavery (Plutarch.pg48) (par 3). The law set free people who had been enslaved due to debt default. It also released families that had been enslaved due to failure to pay their debts. Overall, the law helped alleviate some of the problems that the debtors had been facing in Athens. The second law was meant to ensure political equity (Plutarch pg.41) (par 3). Through the passage of this law, Solon created four social classes and gave each of the classes political rights. These rights differed in each class but they all had the right to hold a political office.
The third law passed by Solon was the law on the prohibition of the export of agricultural goods. The law prevented the export of agricultural goods from Attica, which is a region surrounding Athens. The intent of this law was the prevent the aristocrats from hoarding agricultural land and to ensure that food was available when Athenians needed it (Tr). The fourth and final law passed by Solon was the law on the legalization of loans (Plutarch.pg54) (par 8). This law prohibited the process of taking a loan using oneself as collateral. Before the passage of this law, debtors who were unable to honor their obligations would be enslaved. Thus, instead of the old system, the law allowed individuals to take up loans and pay them over time rather than being immediately enslaved for failure to service the debt.
The effectiveness of these laws is debatable where some argue that the reforms anchored on the laws passed by Solon were largely successful while others argue that they did not achieve their objectives. Proponents of the effectiveness of these reforms maintain that they ensure social and political stability while creating a more equitable society. Those who disagreed maintained that the reforms failed to address structural issues and did not go far enough. For example, while the law on political equity restructured the society based on wealth, some maintained that the resulting classes of people did not reflect the economic situation of many Athenians. Additionally, while the prohibition of the export of agricultural goods ensures food security, it also limits trade opportunities and may have led to other negative economic consequences (Plutarch.pg71) (par 2). Further, banning enslavement due to loans was admirable but it did not address the underlying economic conditions that prevented many people from honoring their debt obligations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Solon was a celebrated lawmaker and statesman who lived in Athens in the 16th century BCE. He is credited with having introduced reforms that created a more equitable and just society in Athens. At the time of his power, they faced major problems including division into social classes that comprised aristocrats, sharecroppers, and borrowers. Other than the aristocrats, all other social groups faced major economic hardships and discontent was rife. Thus, he rose to power at a time of political turmoil and was tasked with finding solutions to the economic and social problems faced by Athenians. Consequently, he implemented several reforms that were anchored by several major legal changes. In one of the laws called, Seisachtheia, debt slavery was prohibited, and debts for people in servitude for failure to service their debts were freed. The law on political equity restructured the society which gave the resulting social classes different political rights making Athens a more politically equal society.
Other legal reforms included the prohibition of food export which ensured food security for Athenians and prevented the hoarding of land by aristocrats. Finally, the law on the legalization of loans prohibited the commoditization of people as collateral for loans. Finally, the reforms instituted by Solon had mixed results as some argued that they led to a more socially, economically, and politically equal society. However, some historians maintain that the reforms were ineffective and that they dealt with the symptoms rather than providing a cure for the structural issues that faced Athens during that period.
Works Cited
Plutarch. “Solon – the Rise and Fall of Athens: Nine Greek Lives.” Erenow, n.d., Web.