This pamphlet outlines the development and operation of Athenian democracy to the end of the fifth century BC. Separate sections examine the prelude to democracy, the emergence of a democratic system, and the way this system worked in practice. A final section focuses on the questions:how should we judge the success of Athenian democracy?who benefitted?was it an efficient system of government?in what sense was Athenian democracy the forerunner of modern democracies?