The Aristotelian Constitution of the Ithacans and Homero-Cyclic Reception of the Odyssey

Aristotle’s Constitution of the Ithacans is lost, but testimony of it survives. Most interesting is an account by Plutarch (Quaest. Graec. 14; fr. 507 Rose) of the exile of Odysseus after the slaughter of the suitors. In both Aristotle and Apollodorus political intrigue in the area of the Ionian Islands seems to underlie the exile. The acceptance of a story of Odysseus’ exile by the Constitution suggests that historical Ithacans claimed descent from families of the suitors. Of further interest is reference to clans descended from Eumaeus and Philoetius, which would seem to reference promises by Odysseus at Odyssey 21.213-300. The Constitution would thus seem to be a historical document that reflects Ithacan historicization of Archaic Age myth and literature, including both Homeric and Cyclic epic

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