Final answer:
The government of ancient Athens is considered a direct democracy because citizens, specifically free adult men, had the right to personally attend Assembly meetings, debate, and vote on laws and governmental decisions themselves. The correct answer is option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government of ancient Athens was called a direct democracy because the people governed themselves, meaning that A: The people governed themselves is the correct answer. In Athens, citizen participation was fundamental, as all male citizens had the right to attend meetings of the Assembly to debate and vote directly on laws and public policies. It is important to note, however, that not all inhabitants were considered citizens; this privilege was reserved for adult, land-owning men, excluding women, slaves, and foreigners from the political process.
Athens's direct democracy stood in contrast to representative democracy, where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf. In Athens, citizens also had the chance to serve on the Council and juries, actively participating in the executive and judicial branches of the government. Although direct democracy in Athens was limited in its inclusivity and participation rates, it was a significant political innovation of the time.