The Laws of Solon: A New Edition with Introduction, Translation and Commentary
Solon (c 658-558 BC) is famous as both statesman and poet but also, and above all, as the paramount lawmaker of ancient Athens. Though his works survive only in fragments, we know from the writings of Herodotus and Plutarch that his constitutional reforms against the venality, greed and political power-play of Attica's tyrants and noblemen were hugely influential-and may even be said to have laid the foundations of western democracy. Solon's legal injunctions covered the widest range of topics and issues: economics and labour; sexual morality; social issues; and society and politics. Yet despite their fame and influence (and Solon's life and work generated a lively reception history), no complete edition of these writings has yet been published. This book offers the definitive critical edition of Solon's laws that has long been needed. It comprises the original Greek fragments with English translations, commentaries, a comprehensive introduction and important comparative Latin texts. It will be enthusiastically welcomed by specialists in ancient Greek language and history.
1130540957
The Laws of Solon: A New Edition with Introduction, Translation and Commentary
Solon (c 658-558 BC) is famous as both statesman and poet but also, and above all, as the paramount lawmaker of ancient Athens. Though his works survive only in fragments, we know from the writings of Herodotus and Plutarch that his constitutional reforms against the venality, greed and political power-play of Attica's tyrants and noblemen were hugely influential-and may even be said to have laid the foundations of western democracy. Solon's legal injunctions covered the widest range of topics and issues: economics and labour; sexual morality; social issues; and society and politics. Yet despite their fame and influence (and Solon's life and work generated a lively reception history), no complete edition of these writings has yet been published. This book offers the definitive critical edition of Solon's laws that has long been needed. It comprises the original Greek fragments with English translations, commentaries, a comprehensive introduction and important comparative Latin texts. It will be enthusiastically welcomed by specialists in ancient Greek language and history.
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The Laws of Solon: A New Edition with Introduction, Translation and Commentary

The Laws of Solon: A New Edition with Introduction, Translation and Commentary

by D F Leão, PJ Rhodes
The Laws of Solon: A New Edition with Introduction, Translation and Commentary

The Laws of Solon: A New Edition with Introduction, Translation and Commentary

by D F Leão, PJ Rhodes

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Overview

Solon (c 658-558 BC) is famous as both statesman and poet but also, and above all, as the paramount lawmaker of ancient Athens. Though his works survive only in fragments, we know from the writings of Herodotus and Plutarch that his constitutional reforms against the venality, greed and political power-play of Attica's tyrants and noblemen were hugely influential-and may even be said to have laid the foundations of western democracy. Solon's legal injunctions covered the widest range of topics and issues: economics and labour; sexual morality; social issues; and society and politics. Yet despite their fame and influence (and Solon's life and work generated a lively reception history), no complete edition of these writings has yet been published. This book offers the definitive critical edition of Solon's laws that has long been needed. It comprises the original Greek fragments with English translations, commentaries, a comprehensive introduction and important comparative Latin texts. It will be enthusiastically welcomed by specialists in ancient Greek language and history.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781784536688
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 11/20/2016
Series: Library of Classical Studies
Edition description: New
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

P.J. Rhodes is Honorary Professor and Emeritus Professor at the University of Durham, UK. His many publications include Thucydides, Books II (1988), III (1994), and IV.1-V.24 (1998); Ancient Democracy and Modern Ideology (2003), A History of the Classical Greek World, 478-323 BC (2010) and Alcibiades (2011).

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Guide for the user xi

Introduction 1

Fragments

Private wrongs 11

Homicide and wounding (frs. 1-22) 11

Amnesty for atimoi (fr. 22/1) 35

Offences against property (frs. 23-5) 36

Moral offences (frs. 26-31) 42

Verbal offences (frs. 32-3) 49

Compensation for damage (frs. 34-5) 53

Enforcement of property rights (fr. 36) 55

Offences against the community 57

Tyranny / overthrowing the constitution (fr. 37) 57

Activist citizenry and political neutrality (fr. 38) 59

Procedure 67

Limitation of self-help (fr. 39) 67

Appeal (fr. 39/1) 67

Prosecution by ho boulomenos (fr. 40) 69

Proofs (frs. 41-4) 70

Voting (fr. 45) 73

Time limit for payment of restitutions and fines (fr. 46) 73

Family law 75

Inheritance (fr. 47a) 75

Marriage between brother and sister (fr. 47b) 75

Engyesis and legitimate offspring (fr. 48) 76

Inheritance (frs. 49-54) 78

Care for elderly parents (frs. 55-7) 92

Adoption (fr. 58) 97

Unidentifiable content (fr. 59) 101

Neighbours 103

Distance between properties (frs. 60-2) 103

Sharing of water (fr. 63) 105

Rights concerning natural fertilisers (?) (fr. 64) 106

Economic matters 107

Measures, weights, [coinage] (fr. 64/1) 107

Exports (fr. 65) 108

Limit to land acquisition (frs. 66-66/1) 109

Seisachtheia (fr. 67) 112

Rate of interest (fr, 68) 113

Ban on enslavement for debt (fr. 69) 113

Amnesty for atimoi (fr. 70) 114

Sumptuary laws 115

Dowry restrictions (fr. 71) 115

Funeral restrictions (fr. 72) 116

Ban on the trade in perfumes (fr. 73) 121

Paederasty (fr. 74) 122

Constitution, institutions 127

Rights of citizens (frs. 74/1-3) 127

Areopagus and council of four hundred (frs. 74/4-5) 130

Grants of citizenship (fr. 75) 132

Associations (fr, 76) 133

Assessment and property classes (frs. 77-8) 135

Nankrarim (frs. 79-80) 135

Assembly (fr. 80/1) 136

Religion 139

Regulations for offerings (frs. 80/2-82) 139

Calendar of sacrifices (frs. 83-6) 140

Parasitein / eating at public expense (frs. 87-9) 143

Rewards for victors in games (fr. 89/1) 144

Varia (frs. 90-2) 146

Entrenchment of the laws (fr. 93) 149

Unusable, doubtful, spurious 151

From the orators (frs. 94-122) 181

From comedy (frs. 123-7) 181

From Solon's poetry (?) (frs.128-30) 187

Confusion with other legislators (frs. 131-5) 188

Misinterpretation of laws (frs. 136-8) 189

Unusable collective quotations (frs. 139-42) 189

Varia (ins. 143-/154) 192

Bibliography 197

Index of fragments 202

Index of source texts 207

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