With respect however to those who in their writings have discussed a polity, some, indeed, have had no share whatever in political affairs, but have always led a private life, concerning whom we have nearly considered every thing worthy of notice in their writings. But others were legislators, some, indeed, in their own cities, and others regulated the governments of foreign states. Of these, also, some indeed were only the fabricators of laws, but others of a polity, likewise; as for instance, Lycurgus and Solon; for they established both laws and polities. We have spoken, therefore, concerning the Lacedæmonian polity. But with respect to Solon, some persons think that he was a good legislator; for he was able to dissolve the oligarchy, which was very immoderate, to free the people from slavery, and establish the ancient democracy, by well tempering the polity. For the senate, indeed, in the Areopagus was oligarchical; but the election of the magistrates was aristocratical; and the courts of justice were democratical. It seems, however, that Solon did not dissolve the ancient form of government, either with respect to the senate, or the election of magistrates, but that he made the people of consequence, by forming the courts of justice out of all of them; on which account he is blamed by certain persons. For they say that he dissolved the other part of the polity, by committing the authority of all things to judges, who were chosen by lot. For since this custom has prevailed, in consequence of gratifying the people as a tyrant, the polity has been brought to its present democratic condition. And Ephialtes, indeed, and Pericles, abridged the power of the senate in the Areopagus; but Pericles introduced the method of paying those who attend the courts of justice. And after this manner each of the demagogues proceeded, increasing the democracy to its present condition. It seems, however, that it was not the intention of Solon this should take place, but that it rather arose from accident. For the people being the cause of the naval victory over the Medes, conceived highly of themselves on this account, and enlisted themselves under depraved demagogues instead of worthy governors. For Solon seems to have given to the people a power the most necessary of all others, that of choosing the magistrates, and calling them to account. For the people without this authority would have been slaves and enemies to the state. But he appointed all the magistrates from illustrious and rich men, who could levy annually five hundred bushels out of their lands and revenues, and from the Zeugitæ, and those of the third census, who were called horsemen. Those of the fourth order consisted of hirelings and workmen, and were not admitted to any office of a magistrate. But the legislator of the western Locrians was Zaleucus, as was Charondas, the Catanean, of his own cities, and of the other Chalcidian cities about Italy and Sicily. Some persons, however, endeavour to prove that Onomacritus, the Locrian, was the first person that was skilled in legislation, and that he exercised himself in it in Crete, where he continued for some time in order to learn the prophetic art; and they say that Thales was his associate. They likewise affirm that Lycurgus and Zaleucus were the auditors of Thales; but Charondas of Zaleucus. Those, however, who assert these things, assert what is repugnant to chronology. Philolaus, also, the Corinthian, was the legislator of the Thebans. But Philolaus was indeed of the family of the Bacchiades. Becoming, however, the intimate friend of Diocles, a victor in the Olympic games, when this man left the city, in consequence of being disgusted at the improper passion which his mother Alcyone had entertained for him, and came to Thebes, Philolaus followed him, and there both of them died. They still likewise show their tombs, placed in view of each other, but so disposed, that one of them looks towards Corinth, and the other does not. For it is fabulously said, that they themselves thus arranged their tombs. Diocles, indeed, through his hatred of the passion which his mother entertained for him, would have his tomb so disposed, that no one could see Corinth from it; but Philolaus chose that it might be seen from his. Through a cause, therefore, of this kind they dwelt at Thebes. Philolaus, however, became a legislator to them, both in certain other things, and also concerning the procreation of children; which they call adoptive laws. And these laws were particularly framed by him, in order that the number of inheritances might be preserved. But nothing particular was established by Charondas, except the decisions against false witnesses. For he was the first who made this the subject of consideration. In the accuracy of his laws, however, he is more elegant than the present legislators. But the introduction of a law respecting the inequality of possessions is peculiar to Philolaus. And the peculiarity in the laws of Plato is, the community of women, children and property, and also public tables for the women. Likewise the law concerning intoxication, that they should observe sobriety at their banquets. He also made a law concerning their warlike exercises, that they should acquire a habit of using both hands alike, as it is not fit that one of the hands should be useful, and the other useless. There are, likewise, laws of Draco; but he established laws when the polity actually existed. And there is nothing particular in his laws which deserves to be mentioned, except their severity, on account of the magnitude of the punishment. Pittacus, also, was a fabricator of laws, but not of a polity. But a particular law of his was this, that men who are intoxicated, if they strike any one, shall suffer a greater punishment than if they did it when sober. For as those who are intoxicated are more insolent than those who are sober, he did not direct his attention to pardon, viz. that men in a state of intoxication are more entitled to it, but to utility. Androdamas Reginus was also a lawgiver to the Chalcidians in Thrace; and some of his laws are extant concerning murders and heiresses. These, however, contain nothing that is peculiarly his own. And thus much concerning the principal polities, and those which have been mentioned by others.
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