The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens in Athenian Democracy

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Rights...

     Only about twenty percent of the Athenian population participated in the government. This is because voting was very restricted, and only certain citizens were allowed to participate in government affairs. Only men who were 18 or older, and who had completed their required time in the military, had the right to vote in Athens. Slaves, women, and children did not have the right to vote. Athenian citizens were only considered citizens if the father was an Athenian citizen. The exception to this rule was if a person was granted citizenship by the assembly. This was sometimes done as a reward.

"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you."
                 - Pericles

Responsibilities...

    Citizens of Athens had a duty to participate in governmental affairs. This was a requirement because Athens was a direct democracy, and because it was small enough to enforce it. Citizens could become part of the Boule, though only for a total of two years. Any citizen could theoretically participate in speaking at Pnyx Hill, though not many did. Any citizen who proposed a law could eventually be prosecuted if it became apparent that the law was harmful to Athens. One of the most profound responsibilities of Athenian citizens was their duty to participate in the military. This duty was so important because Athens did not have a full-time military; rather it consisted of citizens who were called upon in time of war.

"Athenian democracy was one of the few historical examples of "direct democracy." The citizens actually voted yes or no to proposals themselves, rather than choosing a representative to vote for them as we do today.  Secondly, the core soldiers of the Athenian military were the "citizen farmers" who served in wars in order to protect their interests.  In order to be an Athenian citizen, one had to be an adult male who had completed his military training.  Although many people who lived in Athens were disqualified from voting, for past and/or inherited disqualifications, these same individuals were often networked to voting citizens, and this connection may have meant influence."        
       -Nick Ziegler, Assistant Professor in the Department of Liberal Arts at Yeungnam University