Download Greek Reformers Solon: Solon outlawed debt slavery and freed

Greek Reformers
Draco: He produced the first written code of laws for Athens. This amended the laws of Athens so crimes
were no longer punished by private vengeances but a system of public justice, establishing a tribunal,
somewhat similar to a modern judicial court. The laws provided some protections for the common people
by limiting the power and discretion of the aristocracy in terms of law to what was written. Nevertheless,
punishments were excessively harsh and the punishment for almost everything was death. Today the word
“draconian” has come to mean excessively harsh or very severe.
Solon: Solon outlawed debt slavery and freed those who had already been sold into slavery to pay
off their debts. He opened offices to more citizens, loosened some restrictions on citizenship, and
gave the Athenian assembly more say in important decisions. .Solon changed the nature of
Athenian citizenship and politics by grounding the qualifications for political participation in
wealth rather than birth or land ownership, and created four property classes. Through his
reforms, the lowest classes received citizenship and a participatory role in the government and the
demos (people of the territory) received an official presence in governing. Solon’s reforms
ensured greater fairness and justice for some groups. Citizenship remained limited and many
government positions were open only to wealthy landowners.
Pisistratus: Pisistratus gave farmers and poor citizens a greater voice weakening the aristocracy
Cleisthenes: Cleisthenes broadened the role of the ordinary citizen in the government. He set up
the Council of 500, whose members were chosen by lot from among all citizens over the age or
30. The council prepared the laws for the assembly and supervised the day to day work of the
government. He made the assembly a genuine legislature. It debated laws before deciding to
approve or reject them. The assembly included all male citizens. Still few people qualified for
citizenship.
Pericles: Under Pericles, Athenians participated in a direct democracy and a large number of
citizens took a direct part in the day-to-day affairs of government. The assembly met several
times a month and at least 6000 members had to be present in order to decide important issues.
Pericles believed that all male citizens, regardless of wealth or social class should take part in the
government. Athens therefore began paying a fixed salary to men who held public office. This
reform enabled poor men to serve in government. The government also paid jurors. His building
projects increased Athenian prosperity by creating jobs for artisans and workers and reminded
both citizens and visitors that the gods had favored the Athenians. Pericles surrounded himself
with Greek thinkers, writers, and artist. In this way he transformed Athens into the cultural center
of Greece.