#550s

Solon

Solon (c. 640 – c. 560 BCE) was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, and poet, who is credited with restructuring the social and political organisation of Athens and thereby laying the foundations for Athenian democracy. Such were his accomplishments that, in later centuries, he became a sort of semi-mythical founding father figure who had set Athens on the path to the glory and prosperity the city enjoyed in the Classical period.

Early Life

According to Plutarch in his Solon, the lawgiver was the son of Execestides and so born into a distinguished family, even if their wealth was modest. Plutarch also quotes fragments of Solon's poetry, painting a more romantic picture than posterity would remember the matter-of-fact lawmaker. For example, he writes,

In Solon's poems, too, we can find evidence of the fact that he could not resist good looks and did not challenge love - 'To meet him like a boxer in the ring.' (Solon, 43)

Solon, we are told by the same author, was a trader as a young man. Solon first came to wider prominence in c. 600 BCE when he commanded during the war between Athens and Megara following a dispute over control of Salamis. Solon was then appointed archon, the highest administrative position of Athenian government, traditionally in c. 594 BCE (or perhaps even c. 580-570 BCE). He was now in a position to make fundamental and lasting changes to his city. As the oracle at Delphi proclaimed,

Seat yourself now amidships, for you are the pilot of Athens.

Grasp the helm fast in your hands; you have many allies in your city.

(Solon, 55)

We were counting down til they came out! Damn you Jack for making us fall in love with NB!

But Coit’s birthday is April 11th (he has an Amazon wish list that I had to make for family so if you would like it, I’ll send it to you) so I had to get him a pair too!

I got him these:

But I’m getting him one more pair but can’t figure out which pair. Coit is peculiar about his shoes on a daily basis so these have been Coit approved! Like always, he still to black or red.