In Athenian democracy, the most power resided with the assembly, known as the Ekklēsia. This body consisted of male citizens over the age of eighteen, and it was responsible for making crucial decisions regarding legislation and policy.
The assembly met regularly, allowing citizens to propose and debate laws and policies, which meant that power was quite decentralized compared to modern political systems. However, it’s important to note that while the assembly had significant authority, there were also other influential groups, such as the Boule (a council of 500 men who prepared the agenda for the assembly), and various courts where citizens could participate as jurors.
While the assembly allowed for direct participation, the actual influence of individual citizens could vary widely, often depending on wealth, status, and oratory skills. Thus, while the assembly as a whole wielded considerable power, the reality was that certain individuals and groups could dominate the political landscape, leading to a more complex power dynamic than simply stating that the assembly alone held the most power.