A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

All Factions Dissatisfied 129
matters, while it corrected wrong-doers with full power
to fine and punish, and it brought up the fines to the
Acropolis without the obligation of stating the ground
for their exaction. Furthermore it tried conspirators
against the state under a law of impeachment which Solon
enacted concerning such offenders.
Seeing the state often
disturbed by sedition and many of the citizens through
sheer inertness allowing such affairs to take their own
course, he enacted with reference to them a peculiar law,
that whoever, when the coimtry is disturbed by sedition,
shall not take up arms with either faction, shall be disfranchised
and deprived of all part in the state. . . .
When he had arranged the government in the manner Solon's jour
described, many people kept coming to him and annoying
him in regard to the laws, finding fault with some points lb. n.
and asking questions concerning others; and as he wished
neither to disturb these arrangements nor to remain and
incur enmities, he went on a journey for trade and sightseeing
to Eg}^t, saying he would not return for ten years;
for he thought it was not right that he should remain and
interpret the laws but that everyone should obey them to
the letter.
It was at the same time his misfortune that
many of the nobles were at variance with him because
of the abolition of debts and that both factions had shifted
their attitude because his reform had turned out contrary
to their expectation.
For the commons supposed he would
redistribute everything, whereas the nobles hoped he
would restore to them the same constitution or make but
little change in it. He, however, opposed both parties,
and though it was permitted him by conspiring with
either to make himself tyrant, he preferred to incur the
emnity of both parties by saving his country and legislating
for the best. ...