Solon, the poet statesman

Born in 630 BCE to an aristocratic family possessing modest wealth, it was through his poetry that Solon first rose to prominence in Athens.

Because he lived before records of written history and biography had been established, there are many versions regarding a poem that he composed and publicly read that roused the population to eventually triumph over Megara in a dispute over the island of Salamis.

Poetry occupied an important role in his life. He used it to order and shape his thoughts and express his understanding of what matters most in life.

Solon had become a merchant trader during his early life. His father had given away much of the family's wealth. These early experiences probably helped to ground him and educate him about the dangers of excess wealth and power.  Solon valued moderation and sought to enact just reforms rather than revolutionise political power.

"To the people I have given such honor as is sufficient,
neither taking away nor granting them more.
For those who had power and were great in riches,
I greatly cared that they should suffer nothing wrong.
Thus I stood, holding my strong shield over both,
and I did not allow either side to prevail against justice."