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* 1.1 IN the forty seventh Olympiad (according to •• Sosicrates) Ana∣charsis came to Athens; Eucrates being Archon,* 1.2 he went im∣mediately to the house of Solon, and knocking at the doore, said he was a stranger desirous of his friendship and Hospitali∣ty: Solon answered, it is better to contract friendship at home; then you
that are at home, (replies Anacharsis) make me your friend and g••ist. Solon admiring his acutenesse, entertained him kindly, and kept him sometime with him▪ whilst he was imployed about pub∣lick affairs, and ordering his lawes; which Anacharsis under∣standing, smiled, that he undertook to curb the injustice and covetousnesse of ••itizens by written ordinances, nothing dif∣fering from cobwebs, holding fast the weak and poor, whilst the powerfull and rich break through them; whereto Solon answe∣red, that men stand fast to those covenants, which it is not convement for ••ither party to break: He gave the Citizens such lawes, as it was evident to all, that to keep, were better then to transgresse; but the event agreed more with the conjecture of Anacharsis, then the expectation of Solon.
* 1.3 After his lawes were promulgated, some or other comming daily to him, either to praise, or dispraise them, or to advise him to put in or out whatsoever came into their minds, the greater part to have the meaning explained, questioning how every thing was to be understood, and intreating him to unfold the sence; he (considering, that not to satisfie them, would ar∣gue pride, to satisfie them would make him lyable to censure) determined to avoid ambiguities, importunities, and occasions of blame; (for as he said
In things that are not small 'Tis hard to sing to all.)
Colouring his travail with being Master of a Ship, and having obtained leave of the Athenians to be absent ten years, he put to sea, hoping in that time his lawes would become fa∣miliar to them.
* 1.4 The first place of his arrivall was Aegypt, where he dwelt, as himselfe saith.
At Nilus mouth, neer the Canobian shore.
He studied Philosophy awhile with Psenophis, of Heliopolis, and Sonches of Sais, the most learned of those Priests, by whom, Plato affirmes, he was taught the Atlantick language, which he afterward began to explain in verse; when he questioned them in antiquities, the elder said to him, O Solon, Solon, you Greeks are alwaies children, there is not one Greek an old man.
* 1.5 Thence he went to Cyprus, where he was much favoured by P••ioc••prus, one of the Kings of that country, who had a little Town built by D••mophoon, son of Theseus, upon the River Clari∣us, in a strong place, but rugged and barren: Solon perswading him, there lying a pleasant plain underneath it, to transferre the Town thither, making it more spacious and delightfull: Solon being present at the doing hereof, took care it might be peopled, and assisted the King to contrive it, as well for health as
strength; whereupon many came into Philocyprus, whom other Kings aemulated; for this reason he ascribed the honour there∣of unto Solon naming the Citie (which before was called Aepea) from him, Soli. This foundation he mentions in his Elegies, ad∣dressing his speech to Philocyprus.
Maist thou in Cyprus long as King abide, And ore this people and this Town preside; In a fleet vessell from this haven may Cythera crownd with violets me convey. Her kind aspect and happinesse may she Grant to this Town, a safe return to me.
He visited Thales also at Miletus, whose imposture towards him (related already in Plutarchs words) receive from Tzetzes.
Solon's friend Thales lead a single life, By Solon often mov'd to take a wife; These a Milesian (Thales so contriv'd) Meeting, pretends from Athens late ariv'd: Solon asks curiously what newes was there; One that's abroad, saith he, hath lost his heir, The Cittie waited on his obsequies. was it not Solon's son, Solon replies? To this the stranger (as suborn'd) assents: He with torn hair in cries his passion vents; whom Thales (tenderly embracing) leave This grief, saith he, I did thee but deceive; '••is for these reasons Marriage I decline, which can deject so great a soule as thine.
Whether it belong to this deceit, or to a real loss* 1.6 Diosco∣rides, and* 1.7 Stobaeus report, that weeping for the death of his Son, one told him, but this helps nothing, he answered, and therefore I weep.
* 1.8 At Delphi he met with the rest of the wise men, and the year following at Corinth, by Perianders invitation, which was as Plutarch implies, long before Pisistratus came to raign; nor doth* 1.9 Dion Chrysostom intend the contrary, though so interpre∣ted by* 1.10 a learned person, his words importing only this; Solon fled not the Tyranny of Periander, though he did that of Pisistratus.
That he went also to Creet (perhaps to visit Epimenides) is e∣vident, from an* 1.11 Epistle of Thales.
Laert.
Plut.
Plut.
Plut.
Plut.
Laert.
Serm. 121.
Laert.
Orat. 37.
1 Meursius.
ad ••herecyd.