The Solonian Constitution was the earliest Athenian constitution, created by Solon in the early 6th century BC. Athens (Greek: Αθήνα - Athína) is the largest city and capital of Greece, located in the Attica prefecture of Southern Greece. ... For other uses, see Solon (disambiguation). ... (2nd millennium BC - 1st millennium BC - 1st millennium) The 6th century BC started on January 1, 600 BC and ended on December 31, 501 BC. // Monument 1, an Olmec colossal head at La Venta The 5th and 6th centuries BC were a time of empires, but more importantly, a time...

Solon wanted to revise or abolish the older laws of Draco, which had not solved any of the problems in Athens despite inflicting harsh penalties for almost every crime. Under Solon's reforms, all debts were abolished and all debt-slaves were freed. The status of the hectemoroi (the "one-sixth workers"), who farmed in an early form of serfdom, was also abolished. These reforms were known as the Seisachtheia, the " relief of burdens." Look up Draconian in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Costumes of Slaves or Serfs, from the Sixth to the Twelfth Centuries, collected by H. de Vielcastel, from original Documents in the great Libraries of Europe. ... Seisachtheia (Greek: seiein, to shake, and achthos, burden, i. ...

Solon's constitution reduced the power of the old aristocracy by making wealth rather than birth a criterion for holding political positions, a system called timokratia or Timocracy. Citizens were also divided based on their land production: pentakoosiomedimnoi (over 500 bushels of produce), hippeis (300-500 bushels), zeugitae (200-300 bushels), and thetes (below 200 bushels, as well as citizens with no wealth tied to the land). Each division had different rights; for example, the pentecosiomedimi could be archons, while thetes could only attend the Athenian assembly (the Heliaia). Constitutional theory defines a timocracy as either: a state where only property owners may participate in government; or a government where rulers are selected and perpetuated based on the degree of honour they hold relative to others in their society, peers and the ruling class. ... Look up Archon in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Heliaia ( Greek: ἡλιαία) or Halia ( Greek: ἁλία) was the supreme court of ancient Athens. ...

The Heliaia was given the right to hear appeals, and Solon also created the Boule as a higher assembly. Both of these were meant to decrease the power of the Areopagus, the aristocratic council. In the cities (Gr. ... This article concerns the Classical judicial body. ...

The only parts of Draco's code that Solon kept were the laws regarding homicide. The constitution was written as poetry, and as soon as it was introduced, Solon went into self-imposed exile for 10 years so he would not be tempted to take power as a tyrant. Homicide (Latin homicidium, homo human being + caedere to cut, kill) refers to the act of killing another human being. ... The Chinese poem Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain by Emperor Gaozong (Song Dynasty) Poetry (from the Greek , poiesis, making or creating) is a form of art in which language is used for its aesthetic qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its ostensible meaning. ... Exile (band) may refer to: Exile - The American country music band Exile - The Japanese pop music band Category: ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

External links

• The Athenian Constitution, Aristotle (~350 BCE). Commentary on the Solonian Constitution.
• The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, Plutarch (~75 CE). Article on Solon.
• The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State, Frederick Engels. Chapter V. The Rise of the Athenian State, discusses the significance and effects of Solonian Constitution.