The ancient civilization that developed the concept of democracy is Athens, a city-state in ancient Greece. Around the 5th century BCE, Athenian democracy emerged as a system of government where citizens (free male citizens) participated directly in decision-making processes. This was revolutionary at the time, contrasting with other forms of governance, such as monarchies and oligarchies. Key features included the assembly where citizens voted on laws, selection of officials by lot, and various democratic institutions. While Athenian democracy had limitations, such as excluding women, slaves, and non-citizens, it laid the groundwork for modern democratic principles and inspired political thought for centuries.