From
the 7th Century BCE on, elements of a democratic political order began to emerge, which came to fruition in the 5th
Century BCE.
• All men of at least 20 years of age, who have completed their military service are members of
the assembly (
ekklesia).
• All full citizens of at least 30 years of age (not slaves or women) can obtain political
offices by vote or chosen by lot: as justices in the courts, as members of the “Council of
the 500” (bule) or as one of the 10 generals (strategoi), who were responsible for military
affairs.
This direct form of democracy, despite various crises, prevailed until 322 BCE.
