CHAPTER I.
The Conspiracy of Cylon .-- Loss of Salamis .-- First Appearance of Solon .-- Success against the Megarians in the Struggle for Salamis .-- Cirrhaean War .-- Epimenides .-- Political State of Athens .-- Character of Solon .-- His Legislation .-- General View of the Athenian Constitution.
I.

The first symptom in Athens of the political crisis (B.C.

621) which, as in other of the Grecian states, marked the transition of power from the oligarchic to the popular party, may be detected in the laws of Draco.

Undue severity in the legislature is the ordinary proof of a general discontent: its success is rarely lasting enough to confirm a government--its failure, when confessed, invariably strengthens a people.

Scarcely had these laws been enacted (B.C.
620) when a formidable conspiracy broke out against the reigning oligarchy [195].