Final answer:
In ancient Athens, citizenship was limited to free, property-owning men who were born in the city-state, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners. These citizens, after Cleisthenes' reforms, could participate in democratic processes, making Athens a foundational model for democracy, though by modern standards, it was limited and aristocratic in nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ancient Athens, full citizenship was reserved for property-owning men, specifically those who were born in the city-state. This included even impoverished men who gained the right to vote and hold public office in the reforms instituted by Cleisthenes in 508 BCE, which is considered the beginning of Athenian democracy. The demographics of Athenian citizenship were quite limited: women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded from political participation.
Citizenship was defined during different periods. For example, after Cleisthenes' reforms, all free males born in Athens could be citizens, leading some to consider Athens as the first real democracy in history, despite the limitations by modern standards. The Assembly of the People in Athens included these citizens, who could, theoretically, all participate in decision-making, although practical constraints limited actual participation.
The Athenian definition of citizenship was influenced by philosophical justifications like those from Aristotle, who advocated political rights for property owning males contributing to the political community, reflecting an aristocratic view of governance. Despite these constraints, the Athenian mode of government was unique and served as a foundational model for the development of democracy in the Western tradition.
Athenian democracy was exceptional for its time, granting a relatively large percentage of its population (male citizens) a direct vote in legislative and executive matters, shaping a legacy that continues to be studied and celebrated in history.