WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In 594 BC, Solon was appointed archon of Athens. His solution to his city’s strife was to cancel both public and private debts and end debt slavery. The freeing of the debt slaves and the cancellation of debt set the stage for the flourishing of the Athenian economy and culture.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -Solon ended exclusive aristocratic control of the government, substituted a system of control by the wealthy, and introduced a new and more humane law code. He was also a noted poet.

Detailed explanation-4: -Solon, the Athenian politician and lawmaker: Solon (638-558 BC) was an Athenian politician, lawmaker and poet. He is considered as the first innovative lawmaker that set the ground for the creation of democracy, the governmental system that made Athens powerful and granted the city its fame all over the centuries.

Detailed explanation-5: -Solon further strengthened the Athenian economy by encouraging the growth of Attica’s trade and industry. He forbade the export of produce other than olive oil, minted new Athenian coinage on a more universal standard, reformed the standard of weights and measures, and granted immigrant craftsmen citizenship.

Detailed explanation-6: -Prior to its interdiction by Solon, Athenians practiced debt enslavement: a citizen incapable of paying his debts became “enslaved” to the creditor. Debt bondage primarily concerned peasants known as hektēmoroi who, unable to pay their rents, worked land owned by rich landowners.