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. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic and moral decline in archaic Athens. In this painting Solon is shown visiting Croesus, king of Lydia. Croesus, believed he was the most content and fortunate individual in the world and to prove it, to himself, he asked Solon who the happiest person was. Solon told him Tellus the Athenian who had fought and died for his country and saw his grandchildren all alive and well before he died, was the most fortunate. Not thrilled with the answer Croesus asked who the second happiest man was. Solon told him the brothers Kleobis and Biton were. Croesus was infuriated that he was not among these names and sent Solon away, but before Solon left he explained that fortune is fickle and no one can judge a person's happiness or luck until that person has lived his entire life and passed on to the next. Oil on canvas by Gerrit van Honthorst, Kunsthalle Hamburg Museum, Germany
