Solon, Sage of Greece, and King Croesus

Solon, Sage of Greece, and King Croesus

Solon (638-558 BC) was an Athenian statesman, lawmaker, poet and one of the Seven Sages of Greece. According to Herodotus and Plutarch, Solon met with Croesus and gave the Lydian king advice, which Croesus failed to appreciate until it was too late. Croesus had considered himself to be the happiest man alive and Solon had advised him, "Count no man happy until he be dead." The reasoning was that at any minute, fortune might turn on even the happiest man and make his life miserable. It was only after he had lost his kingdom to the Persian king Cyrus, while awaiting execution, that Croesus acknowledged the wisdom of Solon's advice. Cyclopedia of Universal History by John Clark Ridpath, 1890 (cropped and cleaned).

SOLON

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4500 x 3566 px | 45.9 MB

38.1 x 30.2 cm | 15.0 x 11.9 in (300 dpi)