Aristotle, political theory and history

Abstract

In order to discuss the relations between history and theory on Aristotle, this
paper analyses the internal structure of an Aristotle’s work, The Athenian Constitution, and
tries to evaluate – in this same work (but also with regard to Aristotle’s Politics) – which
kind of bonds between history and theory turn out to be seen if one speculates the
formation of the theory based on political facts and, conversely, the arrangement of the
facts based on political theorizing. This frame enables the author to conclude that Aristotle
formulates his political theory taking into account historical evidences and that he
incorporates them in his considerations on the natural and social evolution of the Polis.