Nicodorus of Mantineia was an ancient Greek citizen of Mantineia, a city‑state in Arcadia, who is mentioned in classical sources as a law‑giver or constitutional reformer. The principal reference to Nicodorus occurs in Aristotle’s Politics (Book V, 1305a‑b), where Aristotle cites the constitution of Mantineia as an example of a mixed constitution and attributes its creation to “Nicodorus and the Arcadian”. The passage praises the constitution for its balance between elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, describing it as “moderate and well‑adjusted”.
Historical context
Mantineia was an influential Arcadian polis that experienced several constitutional changes during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, often in response to internal conflicts and external wars. The mention of Nicodorus suggests that he participated in one of the reform movements that aimed to stabilize the city’s political structure during this period.
Legacy
No works authored by Nicodorus survive, and the details of his life—including exact dates, background, and the full scope of his reforms—are not recorded in extant ancient literature. Consequently, modern scholarship knows of him only through the brief citation by Aristotle and the subsequent secondary references that rely on that passage.
Sources
- Aristotle, Politics, 1305a‑b.
- Secondary discussions in modern surveys of Greek constitutional history that reference the Aristotle passage (e.g., J. B. Bury, The Greek State; M. G. L. Wade, Aristotle’s Politics and the Greek City‑State).
Assessment
The information available on Nicodorus of Mantineia is limited to a single ancient testimony, and no additional contemporary records or archaeological evidence have been identified. As a result, while his existence as a constitutional figure is attested, many aspects of his biography and the specifics of his reforms remain uncertain.