Forgotten Stoic

Solon of Athens, the most revered lawgiver in Western history. Founder of democracy in Greece, reformer of Athens, poet, politician, but above all: practical philosopher-sage. Responding to crisis, in 594 BCE, Solon was elected Archon of Athens, and given the power to make sweeping changes. His poetry fragments show him as a man driven to rid his polis of tyranny and slavery by new ideals of justice and freedom. Not just external in democracy in Athens, but also internal: a mind free from sleep, insight into the cosmos, the willpower to practice humility and temperance.This book explores the connection between Solon's thoughts and Stoicism and distills the philosophy of Solon as someone who can be seen as an early Stoic, or a pre-Stoic sage: someone we may still want to listen to today. Connections are made between Solon and the Seven Sages (of which he was one) and Heraclitus. Heraclitus became a foundation for Stoic thought and as we will see, he followed the wisdom and insight of the Seven Sages, as did Socrates centuries later. We outline the major facts known about Solon's life through all of his sayings and fragments remaining of his poetry which are also in this book in an appendix for easy reference. We also give an overview of his political, economic and social reforms.Table of ContentKnow Thyself and Nothing to Excess-Solon as an Early Stoic-an IntroductionCalm the Eager Tumult of Your Heart-a Stoic way of lifeOne Man of Ten Thousand-the Link between Heraclitus, Solon and the StoicsWe Will not Exchange our Excellence with Them-Solon on Education and VirtueThe Discipline of Action-Putting the Crocodile into TorporTake the Mid-Seat, and be the Vessel's Guide-Solon on Governing, Part I-LawsThe Best they Could Receive-Solon and the Founding FathersThe Fairest World Order-Solon on Governing, Part II-Economic ReformsCount No One Happy-Solon on the Opportunity of Aging, Old Age and DeathA Teacher of Kings-Solon's TravelsAppendix 1-All Fragments of Solon's PoetryAppendix 2-Wisdom of the Seven SagesAppendix 3-The Delphic MaximsFurther Reading and Bibliography