SOLON WRITES BACK: ANOTHER READING OF DÍKĒ IN ANCIENT HELLENIC POETS

Abstract

Departing from the idea of díkē [justice], present in Homeric poetry and the different perspectives developed in the poems attributed to Hesiod, I highlight some of the significant adjustments of that concept made by Solon in his historical context. In my discussion, I read some of his political poems – mainly frs. 4 and 36 W.2 –, focusing on his allusions to writing. My purpose is to suggest new ways of comprehending díkē in Solon’s poetry to reclaim his importance in the Hellenic tradition of thinking about justice and writing.