1. In this paragraph, ‘political’ has the sense ‘to do with the state (polis)’ and ‘experience of politics’ = politeuthentes, ‘having taken part in state affairs’. ‘Drafted laws’ = nomōn dēmiourgos, ‘workman, or maker, or framer, of laws’; cf. Pittacus in the final paragraph of the chapter.

2.For Lycurgus and the Spartan constitution, see II ix. Solon legislated for Athens in 594 B.C., or possibly somewhat later. His chief reform was to abolish existing debts contracted on security of land or person, and to forbid debts on security of person in the future. He thus sharply curtailed the economic and political power of the Eupatridae (rich nobles), who had by lending reduced many poorer Athenians to slavery. See Aristotle, Constitution of the Athenians 1–14.

3. Areopagus means ‘Hill of Ares’. Before Solon the Council consisted exclusively or mainly of Eupatridae; in the course of time, under democratic pressure, it came to include members of other classes also.