This paper proposes a new reading of the first two paragraphs of chapter XXIII of the Aristotelian Athenaion Politeia, which are a precious evidence on the position of the Areopagos' Council in Athens after the end of the Persian Wars. In particular, as far as concerns the years following the victory at Salamis, the author establishes a strict relation among the polis of Athens, the democracy, the Areopagos and the politeia, through terms describing their reciprocal balance of power and movement. The paper has been presented at the International Congress of Greek History Poleis e Politeiai. Esperienze politiche, tradizioni letterarie, progetti costituzionali, held in Turin from 29 to 31 May 2001.