Monday, August 25, 2008

Admirable Lawgivers


Solon of Athens


“I was of course led to admire peaceable lawgivers, Numa, Solon, and Lycurgus, in preference to Romulus and Theseus” (118).

Numa was a great leader of Rome; Solon and Lycurgus were both esteemed leaders of different provinces in Greece—Athens and Sparta, respectively. These three leaders were peaceful in comparison to Romulus of Rome and Theseus of Athens. Romulus was known for slaying his brother in order to become king; he is seen as a formidable conqueror. Theseus is the one responsible for killing the Minotaur; he also founded Athens. He was not a tyrannical ruler, but he used his brute strength many times in order to defeat his enemies.

Works Cited:
Gill, N. S. "Romulus - First of the Seven Kings of Rome." About. The New York Times Company. 25 Aug. 2008 http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa121002a.htm
"Theseus." Encyclopedia Mythica. 3 May 1997. 24 Aug. 2008 http://www.pantheon.org/articles/t/theseus.html

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