prevailed ; an expedition against Salamis wasdecreed, and Solon, being appointed commander, made himself master of the island by a skilful stra tagem. • In the business of legislation, however, Solon was preceded by Epimenides, a Cretan, who was invited to Athens, where he introduced a variety of religious ceremonies, then ordinary instruments for holding the minds of men in subjection. The good effects of these, however, disappearing with himself, Solon was soon after called upon to make a radical change in the constitution of the state.
The foundation of the system which he establish ed was laid in the supreme power, both legislative, executive, and judicial, vested in the assembly of the people. By them all laws were enacted; every pub lic measure was determined ; and to them an appeal lay from all courts of justice : they appointed to all commands. After bestowing on them such powers, it was vain to attempt imposing any limitations on their authority. The supreme legislators .were al ways able to break down any barrier whiCh might oppose their inclinations ; and as every member of the state was interested in courting their favour, there would be no want of persons to instigate them to such measures.
Solon, however, in laying down the original plan of the constitution, seems anxiously to have studied to provide a balance against that extreme power of the popular assembly, which he granted less perhaps from his own inclination, than from finding them al ready the predominant order, possessing both the inclination and ability to assert their claim to it. Upon the higher ranks he conferred the exclusive right to fill all offices in the state, and all commands in the army and navy. He divided the citizens into four classes, according to their wealth. The first class consisted of those who had an income of 500 medim ni, or measures of corn ; these paid a talent into the public treasury. The second was of those who pos sessed 300 measures ; these kept a horse, and served in the cavalry ; they were thence called Hippeis, or knights. The third, possessing 200 measures, were called Zeugites, and served in the heavy armed foot. All under this were only called upon to serve in the light armed foot, a description of force little respect ed among the Greeks, who sought, on every occa sion, to come to close combat. Such of them, how
ever, as chose to afford the expense, might rank with the heavy armed. , A very large proportion went on board the fleet, which was chiefly manned by this order, and which became afterwards a most eligible and lucrative service.
• All magistracies, and all commands in the army and navy, could be filled only by the three first or ders. It does not appear that this exclusion of the lower orders, which, at Rome, formed the grand source of popular discontent, was considered as a serious grievance at Athens. These offices, from the small salary annexed to them, and from the ne cessity of courting and feasting the people, were ex tremely expensive, and could not he filled hut by persons who possessed a considerable income. The fourth class had, what was of more value to them, an equal vote in the public assembly ; in which, from the superiority of their number, they soon bore down all opposition, and became the sovereign people of Athens. They were also entitled to sit on juries, which were very numerous.
The office of archon still subsisted, and was held in high respect, but without any political importance attached to it. A certain qualification, not only of fortune, but of birth, was requisite for the attainment of this office. They were nine in number, chosen by lot. The first, and principal, was called Eponyms: He had an extensive judicial authority, to which was added the regulation of the plays and festivals. The second, who was called Basileus, or king, had the superintcndance of all religious ceremonies. Origi nally, throughout all Greece, while the office of king subsisted, this formed part of his prerogative ; and, in consequence of the dislike to innovation in re ligious matters, even after the office was abolished, the title was still retained'for this particular purpose. The third, the Polcmarch, had onginally the super intendance of military affairs ; but his jurisdiction was afterwards confined to strangers, and the regulation of some festivals. The remaining six were called Thennothette: their office was judicial ; and they had the charge of drawing up some reports relative to any proposed legislative changes. See ARCHON.