Solon (sōˈlən) [key], c.639–c.559 B.C., Athenian statesman,
lawgiver, and reformer. He was also a poet, and some of his
patriotic verse in the Ionic dialect is extant. At some time
(perhaps c.600 B.C.) he led the Athenians in the recapture of
Salamis from the Megarians. He was elected chief archon in 594
at a time of social, economic, and political stress in Athens.
With most of the land and political power in the hands of the
nobles, the peasants were rapidly losing not only their land but
their freedom as well. Solon annulled all mortgages and debts,
limited the amount of land anyone might add to his holdings, and
outlawed all borrowing in which a person's liberty might be
pledged. This last reform put an end to serfdom in Attica. Other
economic reforms included a ban on the export of all
agricultural products except olive oil and the granting of
citizenship to immigrant artisans. Solon also made important
constitutional changes. The assembly was opened to all freemen,
the Areopagus was continued with new p