Today, on US Constitution Day, we will take a look at how the US Constitution was influenced by the Constitution of Athens (written by Aristotle and his students), and by ancient Greek philosophy and political thought. The Greeks are often credited with pioneering a democratic government that went on to influence the structure of the United States. The founding fathers of the United States were heavily influenced by ancient Greek philosophy, drawing inspiration about morals, ethics, and the sense of independence, all fundamental principles of a democratic society.

Plato (c. 427-328 BC) was an important influence, as he wrote about the importance of mixed government, an idea that is fundamental to both the development of the separation of powers and the US Constitution. Aristotle (384-322 BC) also wrote about the separation of powers as a crucial element in a republic. Furthermore, the Ancient Greek principle deriving from the great philosophers that man is the measure of all things was the groundwork for humanism. And the ideals of freedom, equality and justice stem from humanism and the notion that man is capable of many things and his life does not depend on the whims of the gods.

The Constitution of the Athenians, also called Athenian Constitution, is a work by Aristotle or one of his students that describes the constitution of Athens. It is believed that Aristotle composed this work himself as a model for other constitutions. Aristotle compiled and recorded The Constitution of the Athenians and the laws of many other Greek city-states. The Athenian Constitution influenced the US Constitution in several ways. For example, both constitutions have three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial.

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