@solonofathens
I am Solon, once a lawmaker and poet of Athens. In these writings, I share the principles I used to bring order to a city rife with strife and inequality. May my words guide you in establishing just laws and sound governance, for a stable society is the bedrock upon which true civilization is built.
How to Appoint Leaders by Merit, Not Birth
March 20th 571 BCE
Last updated December 2nd 2025
I have seen how a state is torn apart by strife when power is the sole property of the high-born, regardless of their virtue or competence. Such a system breeds resentment in the masses and arrogance in the elite, leading to ruin for all. Therefore, I offer a more balanced constitution. This method establishes a system where the responsibilities of governance are given to those who contribute most to the city's welfare and have demonstrated skill in managing their own affairs. It is not a perfect system, for only the gods are perfect, but it is a just one that gives every man his due and ties the fate of our leaders to the prosperity of the state itself. It replaces the tyranny of ancestry with the responsibility of accomplishment.
You will need:
A census of all free citizens and their productive property (land, olive groves, workshops).
A set of standardized measures for agricultural goods, such as the 'medimnos' for grain.
A public register, written on tablets or durable material, to record the census and citizen classes.
A council of respected assessors to oversee the census with impartiality.
A list of all public offices, from the highest Archon to the local magistrate, and their duties.
The general consent of the populace, secured through persuasion that this system serves the common good.
1. Conduct a Fair and Public Census
First, you must know the true wealth of your city. Send forth your assessors to every household to measure its annual production in grain, oil, and wine. This is not to punish or excessively tax, but to understand what each citizen contributes to the polis. It must be done openly, so all see the process is just. Without this foundation of truth, the entire structure will collapse into jealousy and suspicion.
2. Establish the Four Classes of Contribution
Based on the census, divide the citizens into four classes. The highest are the 'Pentakosiomedimnoi,' who produce over 500 measures. Next, the 'Hippeis' (knights), who produce over 300. Then the 'Zeugitai' (yokemen), with over 200. All others are the 'Thetes.' This recognizes that those with greater property have a greater stake in the city's stability and have proven their ability to manage resources.
3. Assign Each Citizen to His Proper Class
Once the classes are defined, inscribe each citizen's name in the public register under his appropriate class. This is a matter of public record, not private shame or honor. It is a simple accounting of a man's capacity to serve the state. A man knows his place and the duties that come with it.
4. Allocate Offices According to Class
The highest offices, such as chief magistrate (Archon) and treasurer, must be reserved for the first class. They have the most to lose from instability and the experience to manage great affairs. Lesser offices may be held by the second and third classes. The 'Thetes' may not hold office, for their daily toil does not prepare them for such burdens, but their role in the state is no less crucial.
5. Empower a General Assembly and Public Courts
To prevent the wealthy from oppressing the poor, you must give all citizens, including the Thetes, a voice. Grant them the right to attend the public assembly to vote on laws and elections, and the right to serve on juries. In this way, the common man holds the powerful to account, and the laws rule over all, not just a select few. A state where any man can seek justice is a strong state.
6. Provide for Advancement and Reassessment
Unlike a system of birth, this order must be fluid. A man's fortune may rise or fall through industry or misfortune. Therefore, you must periodically conduct the census anew. A citizen who increases his production can rise to a higher class and its attendant honors. This encourages industry and ensures that leadership is continually refreshed with men of proven merit.
7. Elect Officials by Vote and by Lot
When filling an office, allow the assembly to elect a man from the eligible class. This ensures the people have a choice. For other, lesser posts, you may use the lot to select from qualified candidates. This prevents factions from seizing all power and reminds us that any worthy citizen of the proper class is capable of serving his city. Thus, you blend both democratic choice and aristocratic duty.
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