The theme of the first meeting is "What did democracy really mean in Athens?"

While we might consider elections to be the cornerstone of democracy, the Athenians who coined the term actually employed a lottery system to choose most of their politicians. Melissa Schwartzberg describes the ins and outs of the Athenian democracy, and addresses some ways in which a lottery system might benefit us today. 

Comment, please

1. Who could attend the Athenian assembly, or ekklesia?
2. How was the Council of 500, or boule, selected?
3. Which office was filled by election?
4. Who was eligible to hold political office?
5. What does "democracy" mean?
6. How would you contrast Athenian democracy with contemporary democracies?