Eleanor Finch
Solon and Cleisthenes were both lawmakers who played a significant role in the development of Athenian democracy. Solon, an archaic Athenian statesman, lawmaker, political philosopher, and poet, is credited with laying the foundations for Athenian democracy through his constitutional reforms. He established a constitutional order with a single chief consultative body, the Council of the Four Hundred, and a single administrative body, the Areopagus. Solon's reforms included debt relief, later known as seisachtheia or shaking off of burdens, and the establishment of trial by jury, giving citizens more rights. On the other hand, Cleisthenes further advanced Athenian democracy by empowering local districts and implementing a new system of voting, jury courts, and the ability to exile politicians through ostracism. He established administrative units called tribes, made up of thirds from different areas of Attica: the city, hills, and coast. While Solon is considered a key figure in the transition to democracy in Athens, Cleisthenes' contributions built upon and further strengthened the democratic system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Period | Solon: c. 630 – c. 560 BC; Cleisthenes: c. 570 – c. 500 BC |
| Role | Solon: Athenian statesman, lawmaker, political philosopher, and poet; Cleisthenes: Reformer, democratic leader |
| Impact | Solon: Laid foundations for Athenian democracy, constitutional reform, debt relief; Cleisthenes: Established administrative units, tribes, and demes, increased citizen body |
| Legacy | Solon: Credited with starting a golden age of Athenian democracy; Cleisthenes: Ignored by Athenians over time, overshadowed by Solon and Theseus |
| Historical Accounts | Solon: Limited knowledge due to fragmentary works and lack of archaeological evidence; Cleisthenes: Faced rivalry from Isagoras and Spartan intervention |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Solon's constitution laid the foundations for Athenian democracy
Solon, an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, political philosopher, and poet, is credited with laying the foundations for Athenian democracy. Solon's constitutional reforms overturned most of Draco's laws, which were inscribed on axones—large wooden slabs or cylinders. Solon's reforms included debt relief, later celebrated among Athenians as the seisachtheia (shaking off of burdens).
Solon established a constitutional order with a single chief consultative body, the Council of the Four Hundred, and a single administrative body, the Areopagus. He divided citizens into four classes based on land production: pentacosiomedimnoi, hippeis, zeugitae, and thetes. The lower assembly was given the right to hear appeals, and Solon also created a higher assembly, both of which served to decrease the power of the Areopagus. Despite these divisions, Solon believed that the classes were connected as one, and that a disservice to one member of society was a disservice to all.
Solon's constitution aimed to mediate between rival factions, such as the nobles and the common people, who were divided between those in favour of democracy and those supporting oligarchy. His reforms contributed to the development of a full democracy, as noted by Marylin B. Additionally, according to Aristotle in the "Athenian Constitution," Solon was "the first people's champion."
Cleisthenes, on the other hand, built upon Solon's foundation by implementing further reforms. He faced a rocky start in Athens due to political rivals and opposition from Spartan Cleomenes. Cleisthenes' reforms included creating administrative units called tribes, each composed of thirds from different areas of Attica: the city, hills, and coast. This made it more difficult for influential families to establish geographical power bases. However, Athens remained largely aristocratic and plutocratic.
Liberal Constitution Interpretation: A Progressive Vision
You may want to see also
Cleisthenes' reforms were long-lasting
Another factor was the inclusion of landless thetes as part of the citizen body, which likely expanded the number of citizens invested in the new system. Additionally, the reforms made it more challenging for influential families to consolidate power in specific geographical areas, thereby dispersing power more evenly across Attica.
The long-lasting impact of Cleisthenes' reforms can also be attributed to the statues, shrines, and property associated with each new tribe. These physical manifestations of the reforms served as constant reminders and contributed to the sense of permanence. Furthermore, each tribe was responsible for providing men for the military and civic offices, integrating the reforms into the societal fabric of Athens.
While Athens remained aristocratic and plutocratic, Cleisthenes' reorganisation successfully hindered the concentration of power among influential families. The endurance of his reforms can also be attributed to their ability to navigate the regional rivalries and ideological differences that existed in Athens. By creating a system that mitigated the power dynamics between the people of the hills, the plain, and the coast, Cleisthenes' reforms struck a balance that accommodated varying preferences for democracy, oligarchy, and mixed forms of government.
Wyoming's Religious Freedom: Constitutional Provisions Explained
You may want to see also
Solon's constitution was written as poetry
Solon was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, political philosopher, and poet who lived between 630 and 560 BC. He is credited with laying the foundations for Athenian democracy through his constitutional reforms, which aimed to address political, economic, and moral decline. Solon's constitution was written as poetry and was inscribed on large wooden slabs or cylinders called axones, which were displayed in the Prytaneion. Unfortunately, none of these original axones have survived, and our knowledge of Solon's constitution is based on fragmentary quotes and comments found in later literary sources.
Solon's constitution established a single chief consultative body, the Council of the Four Hundred, and a single administrative body, the Areopagus. The Areopagus was to be composed of former archons, while the Council of the Four Hundred included only the first three classes of citizens. These classes were based on land production and included the pentacosiomedimnoi, the top class of citizens with significant property or estates, followed by the hippeis, zeugitae, and thetes. Solon's constitution also recognised a lower assembly and a higher assembly, which were meant to decrease the power of the Areopagus.
Solon's constitution cast him as a mediator between rival factions, specifically between the nobles and the common people. He believed that an injustice against one member of society was indirectly a disservice to every member of society, reflecting his view of societal interconnectedness. Solon's reforms also included debt relief, later celebrated by Athenians as the seisachtheia, or "shaking off of burdens."
In contrast, Cleisthenes is known for his reforms that contributed to the development of Athenian democracy. He established administrative units called tribes, composed of thirds from different areas of Attica: the city, hills, and coast. Each third was further divided into demes, which can be thought of as villages or neighbourhoods. Cleisthenes' reforms made it more difficult for influential families to consolidate geographical power, as Athenians now primarily belonged to units spread across Attica.
While both Solon and Cleisthenes played important roles in shaping Athenian democracy, Solon's constitution, written in poetic form, laid the initial foundations by establishing a constitutional order with specific governing bodies and addressing societal issues through reforms.
Exploring Pakistan's Constitution: The Power of Writs
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cleisthenes' administrative units were called tribes
Solon, an archaic Athenian statesman, lawmaker, political philosopher, and poet, is credited with laying the foundations for Athenian democracy. He is described by Aristotle in the Athenian Constitution as "the first people's champion". However, it would be inaccurate to call him a democrat as he was fundamentally aristocratic. He divided Athenians into four census classes: the Pentecosiomedimnoi (the Rich), the hippeis (the Knights), the zeugites (the Hoplite-class), and the thetes (the Lowest class). Most offices were restricted to the upper classes, with the thetes having virtually no official role.
Cleisthenes, on the other hand, is known for his democratic reforms in Athens. He established administrative units called tribes, which were made up of thirds. Each third was from a different area of Attica: the city, the hills, and the coast. These thirds were further divided into demes, which can be thought of as villages or neighbourhoods in the case of the city. This reform made Athenians belong primarily to a unit that was spread around Attica, making it more difficult for influential families to build up geographical power bases.
Cleisthenes reorganized the entire citizen body into 10 new tribes, each containing elements from the whole of Attica. These tribes were not based on family relations or descent, but on residence. They determined whether an individual was Athenian and thus eligible for military service. The tribes also played a key role in choosing the members of a new political and administrative Council of Five Hundred, which prepared business for the Assembly.
Cleisthenes' reforms were designed to increase the people's power, and he can be considered a true democrat. He established isonomia, or equal rights under the law, for all citizens (although only free men and women were considered citizens). He also introduced sortition, or the random selection of citizens to fill government positions, rather than kinship or heredity. Additionally, he reorganized the court system, with a large number of jurors selected each day, up to 500 from each tribe.
In summary, while Solon laid the groundwork for Athenian democracy, it was Cleisthenes who implemented comprehensive democratic reforms, establishing administrative units called tribes to reorganize the citizen body and increase the power of the people.
Landowner Voting Rights: A Constitutional Conundrum
You may want to see also
Solon's constitution had a single chief consultative body
Solon, an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, political philosopher, and poet, is credited with laying the foundations for Athenian democracy through his constitutional reforms. Solon established a constitutional order with a single chief consultative body, the Council of the Four Hundred, and a single administrative body, the Areopagus.
The Council of the Four Hundred was composed of members from the first three social classes, namely the pentacosiomedimnoi, the hippeis, and the zeugitae. These classes were defined based on land production and wealth. The pentacosiomedimnoi were the top class, consisting of citizens whose property or estate could produce at least 500 medimnoi of goods per year. They were eligible for the highest positions in the Athenian government and military. The hippeis, or "horse riders," were the second-highest class, consisting of those who could afford to own a horse. The zeugitae were the third class, but their specific characteristics are not mentioned.
Solon's establishment of the Council of the Four Hundred aimed to decrease the power of the Areopagus, which was an aristocratic council. By including only the first three classes in the council, Solon gave them a political voice and representation. The Areopagus, on the other hand, was to be filled by those who had held the position of archons, indicating a body of experienced administrators.
Solon's constitution, written as poetry, aimed to address the economic and ideological rivalry between the nobles and the common people. It is important to note that Solon himself saw these classes as interconnected, believing that a disservice to one member of society was indirectly a disservice to all. His constitution included provisions for debt relief, later celebrated as the seisachtheia, or "shaking off of burdens."
In contrast to Solon, Cleisthenes faced a rocky start in Athens due to political rivals and was temporarily ousted from the city. While Cleisthenes is also associated with democratic reforms, his focus was on administrative reorganization. He established tribal units composed of thirds from different areas of Attica: the city, hills, and coast. This made it more difficult for influential families to consolidate power based on geography.
T20 Cricket Basics: Understanding Overs in a Game
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Solon is credited with laying the foundations for Athenian democracy by establishing a constitutional order with a single chief consultative body and a single administrative body. Cleisthenes, on the other hand, built upon these foundations by empowering local districts and implementing a new system of voting, jury courts, and the ability to exile politicians through ostracism.
Solon established the Council of the Four Hundred as the chief consultative body, in which only the first three classes participated. He also designated the Areopagus, composed of former archons, as the chief administrative body. Solon's constitution included debt relief, later known as the seisachtheia or "shaking off of burdens", and established trial by jury.
Cleisthenes further advanced Athenian democracy by implementing a new system of voting and jury courts. He also empowered local districts and gave them more control over decision-making.
Solon's constitution reformed the aristocratic government by cancelling debts and banning debt slavery. It also granted new political powers to the lower classes, laying the foundation for Athenian democracy.
Cleisthenes' reforms aimed to prevent influential families from consolidating power by creating administrative units called tribes, composed of thirds from different areas of Attica: the city, hills, and coast. This made it more difficult for a single group to dominate geographically.
