Solon did what? Did he create democracy? Did he set Athens in the democratic direction? Or none of these? Or.... ?
Through the last century, western civilization has fought its greatest wars in the name of preserving, or promoting, democracy. Our country claims to be doing just that in a number of Middle Eastern countries at this moment. So we should recognize what this democratic way is, and it starts with Solon.
So, again: what did Solon do in terms of democratic reforms in Athens? The first 12 chapters (and the last few) of Plutarch's Life of Solon are mostly beside the point of this question, so you must skim to the material needed -- a very important skill in life! Find the many changes Solon brought to his polis and evaluate how each did, or did not, promote democracy. When you finish, look at your notes (with chapter numbers of passages to discuss in our next class): When Solon finished, was Athens a true democracy? If so, why so; if not, why not?
Of course, this question brings up many others, e.g., what IS a democracy? Do we really live in one? What detracts from democratic life? What is necessary to it and its definition? How does modern democracy differ from ancient forms? What does this difference mean, if anything? Is democracy really important? Is democracy really better?
