Solon and Cleisthenes: Legislators of Athens In 510 BC the first known democratic constitution was created by Solon, legislator of Athens. Nearly a century later, Solon's reforms were modified by Cleisthenes. The laws of a particular city or state today should reflect equality and human rights; but until the reforms of Solon and Cleisthenes were implemented, the aristocratic families of Athens ruled over the poorer citizens. The term democracy is ambiguous, but Abraham Lincoln (1863) defines it as "government of the people, by the people, and for the people". people." This modern vision of democracy should guarantee fundamental personal and political rights to every single person, everywhere, every day. Josiah Ober (2007, p.4) points out that “the Greek word dêmokratia conjoins kratos, a term for 'power ', and dêmos, a term for 'the people.'” It therefore means "power of the people." “equality in law,” writes Bernard Randall (2004, p.86). The first forms of democracy were formed by the ancient Greeks around 510 BC in Athens. The origin of Athenian democracy can be traced back to Solon who “is a of the most revered figures in Greek history" for his wisdom, integrity and political skills. writes John Lewis (2008, p.1). Known as the lawgiver of Athens, he created the first constitution “when he was chosen as archon leader in 594 BC” explains William George Forrest (1996, p.30). In the same year Solon initiated a series of laws and reforms that had a lasting impact on Athenian society. A particular law reformed by Solon made him very favorable to the community. He set all the enslaved Athenians free and freed them from their debts. Athens. But when deciding which reforms were closest to the “ideals” of democracy, one must first consider that Solon had no previous democracy to delve into as he created his own laws for Athens. We must therefore keep Solon's intentions in mind when establishing these laws, because he was not aware whether they were considered democratic or not. (Texin, 2013, p.1). When Cleisthenes created the ostracism and the ten tribes, his main intention was to divide the aristocratic families and prevent them from ruling over the common people. Solon wrote poems that influenced Athenian learning. He developed a humane code of laws that formed the foundation of Athenian democracy and ended the control of aristocratic rule.