Androtion (historian)

Androtion (Ancient Greek: Ἀνδροτίων) was an Athenian Atthidographer (a local historian of Attica) and politician who lived in the 4th century BCE. He was a contemporary of Isocrates and may have been a student of his. Androtion is best known for his Atthis, a history of Attica from the earliest times to his own day.

Very little is known about Androtion's life with certainty. Sources indicate he was active in Athenian politics, and possibly faced legal challenges related to his public life. Fragments of his work reveal his political leanings, generally aligning with a more moderate democratic faction.

Androtion's Atthis is extant only in fragments, preserved in quotations and paraphrases by later authors, particularly lexicographers and compilers like Harpocration, the Suda, and others. These fragments, though incomplete, are invaluable for reconstructing Athenian history and understanding the development of Athenian political and social institutions. He presented a chronological account, focusing on political events, constitutional changes, and significant figures in Athenian history.

Unlike some other Atthidographers, Androtion is often considered to have had a more pragmatic and less romanticized view of Athenian history. His work is valued for its apparent attempt to provide a factual and objective account, even though his political biases undoubtedly influenced his interpretations. The surviving fragments shed light on various aspects of Athenian society, including legal practices, religious festivals, and social customs.

His Atthis was likely a significant source for Aristotle's Constitution of Athens, and its influence can be seen in other historical works dealing with Athenian history. Though lost as a complete work, the fragments of Androtion's Atthis remain an important source for understanding Athenian history and the development of Athenian historical writing.