Greece : Democracy

Democracy was first documented in ancient Greece, especially in the city of Athens. But it wasn't the only type of government in Greece. Democracy gradually developed over about 2 centuries -- from 507-318 BC. The form of democracy practiced in Athens was not the same as democracy in the United States today.

In response to unrest among the lower economic classes, a written law code was created around 621 BC. The written laws were intended to create a more just system of government, but conflicts between the nobility and the poor continued. Later, the law code was revised, and by the 4th century there was a more direct form of democracy. This "direct" democracy meant that people participated in their government in various ways -- they might be part of:

the Assembly
the Council

the Courts

Not everyone was treated equally in Athens. The people were divided into 3 groups:

Citizens: Only men could be citizens.
Metics: These were foreigners living in Athens -- usually traders or craftsmen.
Slaves: People captured in war or purchased in slave markets. Slaves could be freed by their owners or purchase their own freedom.