Solon

Family: Athenians · Role: lawgiver · First appears: Solon

Solon was generally held to be the son of Execestides, a man of moderate wealth and power descended from Codrus, though Philocles named his father Euphorion. Through his mother, he was cousin to Pisistratus, whom he loved and with whom he was at first a close friend. He was also familiarly acquainted with Thales and Anacharsis, became acquainted with Epimenides, and placed great confidence in Conon, Clinias, and Hipponicus.

Chosen archon and empowered as arbitrator and lawgiver, Solon canceled remaining debts and barred the use of debtors’ bodies as security. He defeated the Megarians at Salamis, and with Myron as accuser secured the banishment of the polluted faction and the exhumation of the dead. Phanias said that he used a trick to save his country, while Epimenides served him and prepared the way for his legislation. After establishing his laws, Solon obtained leave for ten years and departed on a trading voyage, hoping that his laws would become familiar.

During his travels and later years, Solon was received by Philocyprus, sacrificed to Periphemus and Cychreus, and met Croesus, whose uncertain fortune he warned against; this warning was later associated with Cyrus sparing and honoring Croesus. He studied with Psenophis and Sonchis, visited Thespis, and had meetings arranged by Periander. When Pisistratus gained command, he courted and honored Solon, who advised him and approved many of his actions, though Solon had failed to suppress his ambition and yielded to his usurpation. After Solon’s departure, Lycurgus became his rival through the factional quarrels at Athens, while Poplicola later chose Solon as a model for republican institutions.