Androtion and the Atthis

Atthis was the name given to the local history of Attica. This genre of historiography was invented in the fifth century by Hellanikos of Lesbos. Written in chronicle form, based upon kings and archons, it covered all aspects of Attic affairs from their mythical beginnings to the contemporary history of the individual author. It was a fascinating blend of patriotic fiction and historical fact.

Though there were at least seven men who wrote Atthides, none of their works has survived intact. This volume presents in translation for the first time all the fragments of the Atthis of the fourth-century Athenian politician and historian, Androtion, and the testimonia for his life and career. Androtion was one of the most respected Atthidographers. His work was the basis of the Atthis of Philochoros, the last and greatest product of this genre. Androtion's Atthis was also a source for Aristotle's Constitution of the Athenians, though not it is argued, to the extent and in the manner usually believed. The genre and the individual Atthidographers, and Androtion and his career are discussed in the extensive Introduction. The inidividual fragments are analysed in detail in the Commentary. Throughout particular attention is devoted to Jacoby's theory of the political bias of the Atthidographers, which is shown to be unfounded.