The Athenian Constitution

The Constitution of the Athenians', attributed to Aristotle or one of his students, is a comprehensive work that illuminates the political system of ancient Athens. Divided into two parts, the first section (Chapter 1 to Chapter 41) examines the various forms of the constitution, ranging from the trial of the Alcmaeonidae to the restoration of democracy in 403 BC, following the fall of the Thirty. The lost beginning, which survives only in fragments and citations, covered the migration of Ion to Athens, creation of phylai, trittyes, and phratries, the kingship of Pandion, the democratic reform of Theseus, the transition from monarchy to elected archons under the Codrid dynasty, the cruelty of Hippomenes, and Cylon's conspiracy. The second part of the work presents an overview of Athens' institutions, such as the requirements for citizenship, the courts, and magistrates.