input: [Confucius] Thucydides Of course he says that – he is speaking at a funeral of Athenian soldiers! But why was Athens great? Because it abandoned religion for a purely rational scheme? No. Its greatness was based on the laws of Solon (c.639-c.559 BC). Before Solon, Athens had a serious economic crisis. Many Athenians were in debt, many were sold into slavery. An inefficient aristocracy ran the city. All these things (payment of debts, leadership by those whose families have the experience of leading) are entirely rational. Centuries later, when Athens declined, it was again due to rational approach to accumulating wealth. But Solon as different. His reforms enshrined the need for religion – temple ceremonies, consulting the oracle, etc. So it is plainly false to imply that the Athenian state shows the triumph of rationalism over religion. (For details, see the Grollier encyclopedia, “Solon” by Plutarch, and Timon of Athens – which was based on a true story – and Aristophanes’ Plutus.)
output: Thucydides extols the greatness and honor of Athens.