Solon — OCR A-Level Classical Civilisation Revision

    This topic focuses on the development of Athenian democracy, specifically examining the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes, the 5th-century developments unde

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic focuses on the development of Athenian democracy, specifically examining the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes, the 5th-century developments under Ephialtes and Pericles, and the critical reception of democracy by contemporary thinkers and dramatists.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Solon

    OCR
    A-Level

    This topic focuses on the development of Athenian democracy, specifically examining the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes, the 5th-century developments under Ephialtes and Pericles, and the critical reception of democracy by contemporary thinkers and dramatists.

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    4
    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
    6
    Mark Points

    Topic Overview

    Solon was an Athenian statesman, lawgiver, and poet who lived from c. 630 to c. 560 BCE. He is best known for his reforms in 594/3 BCE, which addressed the severe social, economic, and political crises in Archaic Athens. These reforms laid the foundation for Athenian democracy by reducing the power of the aristocracy, cancelling debts, and introducing a new class-based political system. Solon's poetry, which survives in fragments, provides insight into his motivations and the challenges he faced.

    In the OCR A-Level Classical Civilisation syllabus, Solon is studied as a key figure in the development of Athenian democracy. His reforms are contrasted with those of Cleisthenes and later democratic leaders. Understanding Solon is crucial for grasping how Athens transitioned from an aristocratic oligarchy to a more inclusive political system. His measures, such as the seisachtheia ('shaking off of burdens') and the division of citizens into four property classes, are essential for analysing the evolution of democratic institutions.

    Solon's significance extends beyond politics; he is also a cultural figure whose poetry reflects the values and conflicts of his time. His work as a mediator between the rich and poor, and his refusal to become a tyrant despite being offered the opportunity, highlight his commitment to justice and moderation. For students, Solon represents the early stages of democratic thought and the complexities of political reform in the ancient world.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Seisachtheia: Solon's cancellation of all debts and the abolition of debt bondage, which freed the hektemoroi (tenant farmers) from their obligations and prevented Athenians from being enslaved for debt.
    • →Timocratic constitution: Solon divided the citizen body into four property classes (pentakosiomedimnoi, hippeis, zeugitai, thetes) based on annual agricultural yield, determining political rights and military service.
    • →Heliaea: The popular court established by Solon, which allowed citizens to appeal against the decisions of magistrates, marking a step towards judicial accountability.
    • →The Council of 400: A new council of 400 members (100 from each of the four tribes) that prepared business for the Assembly, reducing the power of the Areopagus.
    • →Solon's poetry: His surviving verses justify his reforms, criticise the greed of the rich, and emphasise the importance of eunomia (good order) and moderation.

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Understanding of Solon's reforms including seisachtheia, property classes, and changes to the lawcode
    • Analysis of Cleisthenes' reforms including demes, tribes, the Council of 500, and ostracism
    • Evaluation of 5th-century developments such as the role of the Empire, payment for office, and citizenship laws
    • Knowledge of the organs of democracy: Assembly, Boule, and law-courts
    • Critical analysis of democracy as portrayed by tragic dramatists, Thucydides, the Old Oligarch, and Plato
    • Understanding of Aristophanes' political satire and his critique of democratic institutions

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Understanding of Solon's reforms including seisachtheia, property classes, and changes to the lawcode
    • Analysis of Cleisthenes' reforms including demes, tribes, the Council of 500, and ostracism
    • Evaluation of 5th-century developments such as the role of the Empire, payment for office, and citizenship laws
    • Knowledge of the organs of democracy: Assembly, Boule, and law-courts
    • Critical analysis of democracy as portrayed by tragic dramatists, Thucydides, the Old Oligarch, and Plato
    • Understanding of Aristophanes' political satire and his critique of democratic institutions

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Ensure you can explain the specific impact of each reformer (Solon, Cleisthenes, Ephialtes, Pericles) on the democratic structure
    • 💡Use the prescribed literary sources to provide evidence for both the idealisation and the critique of democracy
    • 💡When discussing Aristophanes, focus on how his comedy reflects contemporary political issues and the reception of democratic leaders
    • 💡In extended responses, integrate knowledge of the historical context with the analysis of the prescribed texts
    • 💡When discussing Solon's reforms, always link them to the specific problems they addressed: the stasis between rich and poor, the threat of tyranny, and the need for a more stable political system. Use evidence from Solon's poetry to support your points.
    • 💡Be precise about the property classes and their political rights. For example, only the top two classes could hold the highest magistracies, while the thetes could only participate in the Assembly and the Heliaea. This shows the limited nature of Solon's democracy.
    • 💡Compare Solon's reforms with those of Cleisthenes or later democratic developments. Examiners reward analysis that shows how Solon's measures were both innovative and incomplete, setting the stage for future changes.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Failing to distinguish between the different stages of democratic development (Solonian, Cleisthenic, and 5th-century)
    • Over-relying on one source or perspective without considering the context of the author
    • Neglecting to link the theoretical critiques of democracy (e.g., Plato) to the practical realities of the Athenian system
    • Failing to use the prescribed literary sources to support arguments about democratic identity and critique
    • Misconception: Solon created a full democracy. Correction: Solon's reforms were a step towards democracy, but Athens remained an aristocracy with power concentrated in the hands of the wealthy. Full democracy came later with Cleisthenes and Ephialtes.
    • Misconception: Solon's cancellation of debts was a one-off event that solved all economic problems. Correction: While the seisachtheia provided immediate relief, economic inequality persisted, and Solon's reforms did not redistribute land, which remained a source of tension.
    • Misconception: Solon was a tyrant. Correction: Solon explicitly refused to become a tyrant, despite being offered the opportunity. He saw tyranny as unjust and instead sought to create a balanced constitution that would prevent any one group from dominating.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •The political and social structure of Archaic Athens before Solon, including the role of the aristocracy, the Areopagus, and the condition of the hektemoroi.
    • •The concept of tyranny in Archaic Greece, particularly the examples of Cypselus in Corinth and Peisistratus in Athens, to understand why Solon avoided this path.
    • •Basic knowledge of Athenian democracy under Cleisthenes and Pericles, to appreciate the evolution of democratic institutions.

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

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    To what extent
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    Explain
    Analyse

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