What is the primary subject matter of the work titled 'Constitution of the Athenians'?

The Constitution of the Athenians, also known by its ancient Greek title Athenaion Politeia, is a work that describes the political system of ancient Athens. It details the city's constitution and its governmental structures.

Who is credited with the authorship of the 'Constitution of the Athenians', and what is the scholarly consensus on this attribution?

The Constitution of the Athenians is attributed to Aristotle or one of his students. While ancient sources credit Aristotle with compiling 158 constitutions, modern scholars debate the extent of his personal authorship for all of them, suggesting his students may have assisted or written many. However, it is plausible Aristotle himself composed the Athenian constitution due to Athens' importance and his residence there.

What is the ancient Greek title of the work, and how is it romanized?

The ancient Greek title of the work is Athenaion Politeia. This is romanized as Athēnaiōn Politeia.

How was the 'Constitution of the Athenians' rediscovered, and where are the surviving papyrus fragments located?

The work was lost for centuries until papyrus fragments were discovered. Two leaves of a papyrus codex were found in the Fayum in 1879, and a more extensive papyrus text was purchased in Egypt in 1890. The more extensive text is now housed in the British Library, while a small part also survives on papyrus leaves in the Egyptian Museum of Berlin.

Why is the rediscovery of the 'Constitution of the Athenians' considered significant for historical study?

The rediscovery of the Constitution of the Athenians is considered almost a new epoch in Greek historical study because it provides contemporary information that was previously unknown or unreliable. Specifically, sections 21-22, 26.2-4, and 39-40 contain factual details not found in any other extant ancient text.

What makes the 'Constitution of the Athenians' unique among Aristotle's known writings?

This work is unique because it is not part of the Corpus Aristotelicum as preserved through medieval manuscripts. Furthermore, if it is a genuine work of Aristotle, it is significant as the only one of his extant writings that was explicitly intended for publication.

What are the two main parts of the 'Constitution of the Athenians', and what historical periods do they cover?

The work is divided into two main parts. The first part, covering chapters 1 through 41, details the evolution of the Athenian constitution from the time of the Alcmaeonidae to the fall of the Thirty Tyrants and the restoration of democracy in 403 BC. The second part describes the city's institutions, including the criteria for citizenship, the functions of magistrates, and the workings of the courts.

What early Athenian historical elements are mentioned as being part of the lost beginning of the 'Constitution of the Athenians'?

The lost beginning of the text, which is not preserved on the London papyrus, reportedly covered the migration of Ion to Athens, the creation of phylai, trittyes, and phratries, the kingship of Pandion, the democratic reforms of Theseus, his death, the transition from monarchy to elected archons under the Codrid dynasty, the tyranny of Hippomenes, and Cylon's conspiracy.

What specific internal evidence is used to determine the composition date of the 'Athenian Constitution'?

Scholars use internal evidence from the text to date its composition. For instance, Chapter 54 mentions the institution of the Festival of Hephaestus during the archonship of Cephisophon, which corresponds to 329 BC. Additionally, Chapter 62 indicates that Athens was still sending officials to Samos, a practice that ceased after 322 BC.

How does the mention or absence of certain naval vessels help date the 'Athenian Constitution'?

The text mentions triremes and quadriremes but does not mention quinqueremes. Since quinqueremes are first recorded in the Athenian Navy around 325 BC, their absence suggests the work was written no later than that year, further refining the estimated composition period.

Based on internal evidence, what is the scholarly consensus on the timeframe for the composition of the 'Athenian Constitution'?

Scholars generally conclude that the 'Athenian Constitution' was written between 328 BC and 322 BC. More specific evidence, like the non-mention of quinqueremes, suggests it was likely composed no later than 325 BC.

What is the significance of the 'Constitution of the Athenians' being preserved on papyrus?

Its preservation on papyrus is significant because it represents a rediscovery of a lost classical text. Unlike many other works of Aristotle that survived through medieval manuscript traditions, this constitution was found through archaeological excavation, offering a direct link to ancient scholarship.

Who published the first edition of the more extensive papyrus text of the 'Constitution of the Athenians', and when?

The first edition of the more extensive papyrus text of the 'Constitution of the Athenians' was published in January 1891 by Frederic G. Kenyon, after the British Museum acquired the papyrus in 1890.

What are the two most widely used editions of the Greek text of the 'Athenian Constitution' today?

The two editions of the Greek text in widest use today are the Oxford Classical Text of 1920 by Kenyon and the Teubner edition by Mortimer H. Chambers, with its second edition published in 1994.

What topics are covered in the second part of the 'Constitution of the Athenians'?

The second part of the work is dedicated to describing the institutions of Athens. This includes details on the requirements for citizenship, the roles and functions of various magistrates, and the procedures and structure of the Athenian courts.

What specific event mentioned in Chapter 54 of the 'Athenian Constitution' helps in dating the work?

Chapter 54 mentions that the Festival of Hephaestus was instituted during the archonship of Cephisophon. This historical reference corresponds to the year 329 BC, providing a key anchor point for dating the text's composition.

What does the mention of officials being sent to Samos in Chapter 62 imply about the writing date?

The text indicates that, at the time of writing, Athens was still dispatching officials to Samos. Since Athenian control over Samos ended after 322 BC, this implies that the work must have been written before this date, specifically no later than 322 BC.

What is the significance of the image caption provided with the text?

The image caption identifies the artifact shown as the Aristotelian Constitution of the Athenians, noting that it is currently held in the British Library and is designated as Papyrus 131. This caption provides context about the physical form and location of a key piece of the source material.

According to the source, how many constitutions did Aristotle reportedly compile, and how many survive intact?

According to ancient sources cited in the text, Aristotle compiled constitutions of 158 different Greek states. However, the 'Constitution of the Athenians' is the only one of these works to survive intact.

What does the navbox related to Aristotelianism list under the 'Works' category regarding Athenian governance?

Under the 'Works' category and specifically within the section for Ethics and politics, the navbox lists the Constitution of the Athenians, indicating its place among Aristotle's significant political and constitutional writings.

What are some of the major works attributed to Aristotle mentioned in the Aristotelianism navbox?

The Aristotelianism navbox lists numerous works, including those in Logic (Organon), Physics, Biology, Ethics, Politics, Rhetoric, and Poetics. Specific titles mentioned include Categories, Prior Analytics, Physics, On the Soul, Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, Rhetoric, and Poetics.

Which of Aristotle's works listed in the navbox deal with ethics and politics?

The navbox lists Nicomachean Ethics, Eudemian Ethics, Politics, and the Constitution of the Athenians as works dealing with ethics and politics.

What are the titles of the works included in Aristotle's Organon, as listed in the navbox?

The works included in Aristotle's Organon, as listed in the navbox, are Categories, On Interpretation, Prior Analytics, Posterior Analytics, Topics, and Sophistical Refutations.

What are the key texts within Aristotle's 'On Animals' series mentioned in the navbox?

The key texts within Aristotle's 'On Animals' series mentioned in the navbox are History of Animals, Parts of Animals, Movement of Animals, Progression of Animals, and Generation of Animals.

What are the titles of the works comprising Aristotle's Parva Naturalia, according to the navbox?

According to the navbox, the works comprising Aristotle's Parva Naturalia include Sense and Sensibilia, On Memory, On Sleep, On Dreams, On Divination in Sleep, On Length and Shortness of Life, and On Youth, Old Age, Life and Death, and Respiration.

What are some of the pseudepigrapha attributed to Aristotle listed in the navbox?

The navbox lists several pseudepigrapha attributed to Aristotle, such as On Breath, On Colors, On Plants, On Indivisible Lines, On Melissus, Xenophanes, and Gorgias, On the Universe, On Things Heard, Physiognomonics, On Marvellous Things Heard, Mechanics, Problems, The Situations and Names of Winds, On Virtues and Vices, Economics, Rhetoric to Alexander, and Magna Moralia.

What international databases are referenced for authority control of the 'Constitution of the Athenians'?

The authority control section references international databases including VIAF (Virtual International Authority File) and GND (Gemeinsame Normdatei - Common Normdatei).

Which national library authorities are listed for the 'Constitution of the Athenians' in the provided text?

The provided text lists several national library authorities for authority control, including the Library of Congress (United States), the Bibliothèque nationale de France (France), the National Library of Australia, the National Library of the Czech Republic, the National Library of Spain, the National Library of Poland, the Vatican Library, and the National Library of Israel.

What is the purpose of the 'Authority control databases' section at the end of the article?

The 'Authority control databases' section provides links to various international and national databases that catalog and manage information about the 'Constitution of the Athenians'. This helps ensure consistency and provides standardized identifiers for the work across different library systems and archives.

What does the external links section indicate about the availability of the 'Constitution of the Athenians'?

The external links section indicates that the 'Constitution of the Athenians' is available in multiple formats and locations. It points to resources on Wikimedia Commons for related media, English Wikisource for the original text, the Encyclopaedia Britannica for a summary, and provides links for translations and a public domain audiobook.

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The Unearthing of a Classic

Papyrus Discovery

The Aristotelian Constitution of the Athenians holds a unique place in classical scholarship due to its rediscovery. Initially lost to time, fragments of the text were first identified on papyrus codex leaves discovered in the Fayum region of Egypt in 1879. A more substantial papyrus text was later acquired by E. A. Wallis Budge of the British Museum in 1890, leading to its publication by Frederic G. Kenyon in January 1891.

Scholarly Significance

This treatise is exceptional as it is not part of the traditional Corpus Aristotelicum preserved through medieval manuscripts. Its rediscovery provided invaluable, previously unknown, or unreliable information about ancient Athenian political history and institutions. Modern historians have noted that its discovery marked a significant advancement in the study of Greek history.

Authorship Debate

While attributed to Aristotle, the authorship of the Constitution of the Athenians is a subject of scholarly debate. Ancient sources suggest Aristotle compiled constitutions of 158 states, possibly with the assistance of his students at the Lyceum. Given Athens' importance and Aristotle's residence there, it is plausible he authored this specific work himself as a model. However, some prominent scholars question its direct attribution to Aristotle, suggesting it might be a student's compilation.

Core Tenets of Athenian Governance

Historical Evolution

The first part of the Constitution of the Athenians (Chapters 1-41) meticulously traces the evolution of the Athenian political system. It covers the period from the trial of the Alcmaeonidae family through to the fall of the Thirty Tyrants and the subsequent restoration of democracy in 403 BC. Although the very beginning of this section is lost, surviving citations and epitomes suggest it detailed early Athenian history, including the reforms of Theseus and the transition from monarchy to elected archons.

Institutional Framework

The second part of the work provides a detailed description of Athens' governmental institutions. This includes the criteria for citizenship, the functions and selection of magistrates, and the workings of the various courts. This section offers critical insights into the practical administration and legal structures of Athenian democracy during the classical period.

A Foundational Text

As the sole surviving complete constitution from Aristotle's extensive collection, the Athenian Constitution is an indispensable primary source. It offers factual information and perspectives not found in other extant ancient texts, making it a cornerstone for understanding Greek political thought and the historical development of democratic governance.

Chronological Context

Dating the Manuscript

Scholarly consensus places the composition of the Constitution of the Athenians between 328 BC and 322 BC. This dating is derived from internal evidence within the text. For instance, Chapter 54 references the institution of the Festival of Hephaestus during the archonship of Cephisophon (329 BC), and Chapter 62 notes that Athens was still sending officials to Samos, an arrangement that ceased after 322 BC.

Additional clues refine the dating. The text's mention of triremes and quadriremes, but the omission of quinqueremes, suggests a composition date no later than 325 BC, as quinqueremes are first recorded in the Athenian Navy around that time. This temporal precision is crucial for contextualizing the information presented within the work.

Scholarly Consensus

The precise dating relies on careful analysis of historical references within the text. The period between 328 BC and 322 BC is widely accepted, providing a firm anchor for understanding the historical context Aristotle was describing. The absence of later events and the specific mention of naval capabilities help pinpoint the timeframe of its creation.

Scholarly Foundations

Source Material

The following scholarly works and resources were consulted in the creation of this document. They provide the basis for the information presented herein.

Further Exploration

Digital Archives

Access the primary text and related materials through these curated links:

Wikimedia Commons: Explore related media and images.
Wikisource: Access the original English translation of the text.
LibriVox: Listen to a public domain audiobook rendition.

Academic Resources

Consult authoritative editions and scholarly commentaries:

Perseus Digital Library: An online translation by Harris Rackham.
Oxford Classical Texts & Teubner Editions: Standard scholarly editions (details available in the references).

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References

F. Blass, in Hermes 15 (1880:366-82); the text was identified as Aristotle's Athenaion Politeia by T. Bergk in 1881.

Peter John Rhodes. A Commentary on the Aristotelian Athenaion Politeia (Oxford University Press), 1981, 1993: introduction, pp. 2â5.

J. Mitchell and M. Caspari (eds.), p. xxvii, A History of Greece: From the Time of Solon to 403 B.C.", George Grote, Routledge 2001.

Gertjan Verhasselt, "Heraclides' Epitome of Aristotle's Constitutions and Barbarian Customs: Two Neglected Fragments", The Classical Quarterly 69.2 (2019). p.672.

David L. Toye, "Aristotle's Other Politeiai: Was the Athenaion Politeia Atypical?", The Classical Journal 94.3 (1999). p.235.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Constitution of the Athenians (Aristotle) Wikipedia page

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Politeia Unveiled

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Unearthing of a Classic

Papyrus Discovery

Scholarly Significance

Authorship Debate

Core Tenets of Athenian Governance

Historical Evolution

Institutional Framework

A Foundational Text

Chronological Context

Dating the Manuscript

Scholarly Consensus

Scholarly Foundations

Source Material

Further Exploration

Digital Archives

Academic Resources

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Important Considerations

AI-Generated Content Disclaimer