Athens has long been famed as the birthplace of democracy. But who actually had the power in Ancient Athens? And was the democracy an unqualified success? This edition aims to bring Athenian democracy to life. Making extensive use of contemporary sources, Robin Barrow traces its course and analyses the developed form of the 5th century. Whilst celebrating the great achievement of the Athenians, he raises a number of critical questions and considers democracy's apparent decline; he pays close attention to the problems involved in the interpretation of source materials. Highly readable and well-illustrated, the work provides an excellent introduction to one of the most intriguing political stories of all time.