The Federalist Papers - Alexander Hamilton [339]
p. 228. Theseusfirst, and after himDracoandSolon…: Theseus was a hero of Attica (the region surrounding Athens) and, according to legend, the founder of Athens. He was the son of Aegeus and a cousin of Hercules. Of numerous exploits, he is best known for slaying the Minotaur in Minos’s Labyrinth, defeating the Amazons, and attempting to carry off Persephone from the underworld. He is credited with the unification of the towns of Attica under the headship of the city of Athens and with the establishment of some of Athens’ most essential institutions, including the Prytaneum (hall for state receptions), the Boule (legislative council), and the festival of the Panathenaea. Theseus divided Athenian society into three classes—nobles, artisans, and farmers—and laid the groundwork for the democratic institutions of the classical period. Little is known of Draco, but according to tradition, he was the first (about 621 BC) to fix Athenian law in written form. His penalties were very severe. Solon (c. 638–c. 559 BC), the Athenian lawgiver and poet, left more evidence of his influence on Athenian politics. As chief magistrate of Athens during the economic crisis of 594 BC, Solon instituted reforms annulling existing debts, ending the practice of enslavement for nonpayment of debts, restricting exports, and regularizing the currency. He also democratized the Athenian constitution, opening the position of archon (chief magistrate) to a larger segment of the citizen class, and allowing the popular assembly to reject measures adopted by the council. He removed the capital punishments ordained by Draco for all crimes, allowing them only for the crime of murder. Although many Athenians urged him to accept the title of king, he refused and, upon securing the adoption of his reforms, left Athens for a period of ten years. He was known in the ancient world as a man of surpassing wisdom, one of the Seven Sages of ancient Greece.
p. 228. The foundation of the original government of Rome was laid byRomulus…: Romulus was the legendary founder and first king of Rome. Scholars disagree on the antiquity of the myth, its meaning, and conclusion, but its basic outlines are well-settled: Romulus and Remus were foundlings, raised by a she-wolf. As young men, the brothers founded a city on the Palatine hill. After killing Remus for defying his authority, Romulus proceeded to insure the growth of the city by offering asylum to fugitives and by stealing wives from the neighboring Sabines. Eventually, Romulus disappeared in a storm and became the god Quirinus, a peaceful double of Mars, responsible for the political and military organization of Rome.
p. 228. the work completed by two of his elective successors,Numa…: Numa Pompilius (traditionally 715–673 BC) was, according to legend, the second king of Rome. A Sabine in origin, Numa is said to have instituted the fundamental elements of Roman civic religion—the pontiffs, augurs, and vestals—the inspiration for which he attributed to the nymph Egeria.
p. 228. andTullius Hostilius: By tradition, Tullius Hostilius (possibly 672–641 BC) was the third king of Rome. He is said to have led the struggle against the city of Alba Longa that was determined in Rome’s favor by the duel between the Horatii and the Curiatii. Alba Longa was destroyed and her citizens were incorporated into the Roman state.
p. 228. Brutus, who stepped forward with a project for such a reform…: Lucius Junius Brutus (sixth century BC), known as the "architect of Roman liberty," brought about the expulsion of Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome. Upon establishing the republic,