Only adult male Athenian citizens who had completed their military training as
ephebes had the right to vote in
Athens. The percentage of the population (of males) that actually participated
in the government was about 20%. This excluded a majority of the population,
namely slaves, freed slaves, children, women
and metics. The women had limited rights
and privileges and were not really considered citizens. The restricted movement
in public and were very segregated from the men. Also disallowed were citizens
whose rights were under suspension (typically for failure to pay a debt to the
city: see atimia); for some Athenians
this amounted to permanent (and in fact inheritable) disqualification. Still, in
contrast with oligarchical societies, there were no real property requirements
limiting access
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