In the 7th century BC, Athens and its neighbor Megara fought for Salamis Island. As a result, Athens failed and lost the necessary seaport for conducting and developing trade. Around 600 BC, Solon, who was about 30 years old, was appointed as the commander in chief to command the troops and recapture Salamis Island in one fell swoop. Solon's reputation was greatly enhanced by his great military achievements, and city residents regarded Solon as their leader and protector.
In 594 BC, Solon was elected as the chief consul of Athens. He has the right to amend or retain existing laws and enact new ones. Solon immediately implemented a series of reforms, promulgated many decrees and launched a fierce attack on the gentry and nobles.
First of all, he abolished the "Six-One Farmers", the mortgaged land was returned to its original owner, the pillars erected on the ground were pulled out, and the Athenians who were enslaved by debts returned to their homes. This change has caused great losses to the descendants of nobles and ancient clan nobles. However, Solon did not completely abolish slavery, but only abolished debt slavery that hindered the economic development of Athens.
Solon's establishment of a new national system in Athens is of great significance.
According to Solon's decree, all citizens in Athens will be divided into four grades according to the amount of property, and citizens of different grades will enjoy different political rights. Whoever has more property has a higher rank and enjoys greater political rights. First-class citizens and second-class citizens can hold the highest official positions, including consuls, third-class citizens can only hold junior official positions, and fourth-class citizens cannot hold any official positions.
This system means that the less property the nobles have, the less political rights they enjoy, and the emerging industrial and commercial slave owners can join the city-state regime with their private property. Solon also resumed the citizens' assembly, making it the highest authority, deciding city-state affairs and electing the chief executive. All citizens, rich or poor, have the right to participate in parliament. A new government body, similar to the permanent body of the citizens' meeting, was established, consisting of 65,438+000 people from each of the four tribes in Athens. Citizens at all levels can be elected except the fourth grade. All these have paved the way for the democratization of Athens' political system.
Solon established a new jury court, and all citizens over 30 can appear in court. The members of the court are elected by lot, and the jury supervises the activities of those who hold state positions and protects the interests of the people of Athens. At the same time, the Athenian army was also divided into grades according to property. The first two citizens served in cavalry, the third grade consisted of fully armed infantry, and the fourth grade consisted of light troops and navy.
Solon also took many measures to encourage the development of handicrafts and commerce, such as prohibiting the export of any agricultural and sideline products except olive oil, which can be self-sufficient; Every Athenian citizen must let his son learn a trade; Reward skilled craftsmen to move to Athens and give them citizenship; Reform the monetary system; Determine the principle of freedom of inheritance of private property. Solon's series of legal provisions were carved on wooden boards or slates, embedded in rotatable rectangular frames and made public. Solon's reform won the enthusiastic support of the Athenian people.
Engels believed that Solon's reform was related to the origin of the country. Engels said: "the growing development of society is increasingly beyond the scope of clan system;" Even if the worst evil happens before its eyes, it can't be stopped or eradicated ... since the clan system can't help the exploited, it can only look forward to the emerging countries. The state did give this kind of help in the form of Solon system, and at the same time, it strengthened itself by sacrificing the old system. Solon unveiled a series of so-called political revolutions, and these revolutions were unveiled by infringing on ownership ... So far, all revolutions are aimed at protecting one ownership from another. If they don't infringe another kind of ownership, they can't protect it. During the French Revolution, feudal ownership was sacrificed to save bourgeois ownership. In Solon Revolution, the creditor's property should be damaged to protect the debtor's property. The debt was simply declared invalid ... He cleared the mortgage bar on the debt land and let those who were betrayed and fled overseas because of the debt return to their hometowns. "
Solon gave up all power and left Athens for a long trip after the term of chief consul expired.
It is said that he has been to Egypt, Cyprus, Asia Minor and other places, leaving many anecdotes and beautiful talks along the way.
Retired at home in his later years, engaged in research and writing. After his death, his ashes were scattered on the beautiful island of Salamis, and he fought for it.