Monday, September 17, 2012

Solon

Solon made laws that were fair. The people who were worth 500 measures of fruit were the 1st class, the people worth 300 measures or could keep a horse were the 2nd class, and the people worth 200 measures were 3rd class. The rest were not able to have offices, but could be jurors.  This was still a great privilege, as many cases were brought to the courts. Also, anybody could help the weak to get cases against the people who hurt them.

more later
Bell
 

Solon


The people of Athens were having trouble with debts. So Solon decided to cancel all debts. But he told 3 of his most trusted friends that the land would stay, and at once they borrowed large sums of money and bought farms. Then they did not pay back the money. The people blamed Solon. They got mad, but Solon fixed it. The people would have nothing to do with the friends anymore.

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Bell  

Solon

This was posted in October 2011. 

This philosopher was from a noble stock. His father was Execestides, a man of power in Athens. But he lost his money being kind! He would not let his friends help him. Solon was always wanting to get wisdom, and when he got old he said that "he got more wisdom every day". He made great laws, and was one of the seven sages of Greece. Many men knew of him. One man, Anacharsis, a Scythian philosopher, knocked on Solon's door. He said he wanted to be Solon's friend. "It is better to make friends at home" said Solon. Then you at home be friends with me" replied Anacharsis. They because friends and Solon kept Anacharsis in his home.

 I think this tells us Solon was generous.
more later,
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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Fabius

A young soldier in  Fabius's army had a sister in a town captured by the enemy. This sister had a man in love with in love with her from Hannibal's army, and the brother decided to put this to good use for the Romans. He told his plan to Fabius and then went to the house of his sister and did not say at first  that he knew whom she loved. He talked with her and then he told her he knew. She called her friend. The brother and the friend became friends with each other. Then the brother told the friend the plan and the friend agreed to it. Fabius sent out a decoy to fool Hannibal and it worked. At the agreed time,the friend let them in.  Fabius was overcome by ambition and killed many of the townspeople. This was not the right thing to do! He showed poor  judgment and did not control his ambition.

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Fabius

There were two different generals whom Hannibal feared: Fabius when he sat still, and Marcellus when he moved. Hannibal had to deal with either one of these generals for a long time, because each was five times counsol. At last Marcellus fell into a trap that Hannibal had set for him and was killed in his fifth consulship. Then Fabius was counsol. But Hannibal's tricks never worked on him! Only once was he in danger of falling into a trap, when Hannibal foraged some letters that would bring him into the path of an ambush. He was reverted by looking at the birds. This, however, must be attributed to the favor of the gods rather than the prudence of Fabius.

Now in the camp there was a man who was making trouble. Fabius sent for him and told him ' I have heard that you are neglecting your good service and merits, and shall not be happy if the next time you are aggrieved you do not come to me.' After he said this, he gave the man an excellent horse and many presents. Henceforth, there was not a more faithful man in all the camp. I think this shows that Fabius knew how to handle bad tempers and disobedient men.

more next week,
Bell