@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.
On the Just Arbitration of Disputes to Preserve the State
February 7th 602 BCE
Last updated December 11th 2025
I was called upon to serve Athens when she stood on the very brink of civil war, torn between the wealthy and the poor. A city divided against itself cannot stand. The art of mediation is therefore not a trifle, but the essential craft of holding a community together. It is not about pleasing everyone, for that is impossible, but about finding a just middle path that all can walk upon, however reluctantly. This method I offer is not for finding a victor, but for mending the torn fabric of the tribe, so that it may endure. For good order, through which all things are made right and proper, is the foundation of any lasting society.
You will need:
Two disputing parties who consent to your arbitration. You cannot impose justice on those who will not seek it.
A neutral location for the hearing, beholden to neither party, such as the shade of a public tree or the center of the agora.
An established reputation for fairness. Without this, your words are but wind, and your judgment carries no weight.
A solemn oath from both parties to speak the truth and to abide by your final decision. This is the pillar upon which the process rests.
A mind cleared of all prior sentiment for or against either party. You must be a blank slate upon which the facts are written.
1. Establish the Hearing and Secure Oaths
Gather the disputants in the neutral space. Before any grievance is aired, you must administer the oath. Have them swear by that which they hold most sacred that they will speak truly and, more importantly, that they will accept your judgment as final. Their commitment is the foundation of your authority. Without it, you are merely offering an opinion.
2. Hear the First Grievance Without Interruption
Allow the accuser, or the party that claims injury, to speak their entire case from beginning to end. Forbid the other from speaking, even to object to a falsehood. A man's anger, when bottled, ferments into poison. Let him pour it out completely so you may see its true nature. Listen not only to the facts, but to the emotion behind them.
3. Hear the Defense in the Same Manner
Now, give the accused party the same courtesy. They must be allowed to respond to the charges and present their own view of events without being interrupted. Ensure the first speaker remains silent. You are giving each man his own ground to stand upon, so that you may measure the distance between them.
4. Question Both Parties to Clarify Facts
Your turn to speak is not to offer judgment, but to seek clarity. Ask precise questions. 'On what day did this occur?' 'How many bushels of wheat were promised?' Avoid any question that suggests blame. Your purpose is only to separate the hard stone of fact from the muddy water of opinion and insult.
5. Dismiss the Parties and Deliberate Alone
Once you have all the facts you can gather, send both parties away. You cannot find the balance of justice while being pulled from two sides. Consider the law, tradition, and what is most necessary for the future peace of the community. The best solution rarely gives either party all they desire.
6. Identify the Core Injury and a Fitting Remedy
Look past the anger to the root of the problem. Is it a matter of property, of broken trust, or of wounded honor? The remedy must fit the injury. A debt requires repayment, but a public insult may require a public apology. The goal is to restore balance, not to punish for punishment's sake.
7. Recall the Parties and Announce the Judgment
Bring both disputants before you again. State your decision in plain, simple, and final terms. Explain the reasoning as a lawgiver would, showing how it serves justice and the common good. Do not apologize for it or soften its edges. Your judgment must stand firm like a boundary stone.
8. Oversee the Execution of the Judgment
Words alone do not resolve conflicts; actions do. If property must be returned or a debt paid, you must remain to witness the act. The finality of the physical exchange closes the wound. It turns your judgment from a mere idea into a settled fact, ending the dispute for all to see.
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