But neither his rank, his genius, nor his popular influence sufficed to give to his faction a decided eminence over those of his rivals.

The wealthy nobles of the lowlands were led by Lycurgus--the moderate party of the coastmen by Megacles, the head of the Alcmaeonidae.

And it was in the midst, of the strife and agitation produced by these great sections of the people that Solon returned to Athens.
III.

The venerable legislator was received with all the grateful respect he deserved; but age had dimmed the brilliancy of his powers.
His voice could no longer penetrate the mighty crowds of the market-place.

New idols had sprung up--new passions were loosed--new interests formed, and amid the roar and stir of the eternal movement, it was in vain for the high-hearted old man to recall those rushing on the future to the boundaries of the past.