The most notable characteristic of the democratic system in Athens, according to the texts of Euripides and Thucydides, is the active participation of its citizens in decision-making processes. In Athens, citizens had the right to vote on laws, policies, and important matters affecting the city-state.
Citizens in Athens were adult males who were born to Athenian parents. Women, foreigners, and slaves were not considered citizens and did not have the same rights and privileges. As citizens, individuals had the opportunity to attend and participate in the Assembly, where they could debate and vote on issues that impacted the city.
Furthermore, another key aspect of the Athenian democracy was the concept of isegoria, which means equal freedom of speech. This allowed citizens to express their opinions and influence public affairs without fear of retribution. The ability of citizens to voice their thoughts and engage in political discourse was a fundamental component of Athenian democracy.
