Final answer:
Solon, the Athenian statesman, enacted reforms around 594 BCE which included canceling debts and outlawing debt slavery, as well as creating more inclusive governance structures in ancient Athens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Greek leader who canceled farmers' debts and freed slaves was Solon, an Athenian statesman known for his efforts to mitigate severe economic and civil strife in ancient Athens around 594 BCE. Solon introduced a series of reforms aimed at restoring order and fairness in Athenian society.
One of his first initiatives was to annul all existing debts, effectively liberating many Athenians from the bonds of debt slavery. He also prohibited the enslavement of any Athenian for unpaid debts moving forward. These actions not only relieved indebted farmers but also weakened the aristocracy's power over the common people.
In addition to debt cancellation, Solon implemented legal reforms that included the creation of a new council, the Council of Four Hundred, which included members from different social classes, thus broadening participation in governance.
Positions within the government were also restructured to be based on wealth, allowing a wider range of citizens to hold public offices, although still favoring the wealthy for the most influential positions. Solon's reforms were the foundational steps toward greater democracy in Athens, despite later challenges and alterations by subsequent rulers like Pisistratus and Pericles.