As a domain expert in the field of political history and philosophy, I am well-versed in the origins and evolution of various political systems, including democracy. The question of where democracy was created is a complex one, with roots that can be traced back to various ancient civilizations. However, the concept of democracy as we understand it today is most often attributed to the ancient Greek city-state of Athens.
Democracy, derived from the Greek words "demos" (people) and "kratos" (power), essentially means "rule by the people." The birth of democracy is often associated with the reforms of Pericles in Athens during the 5th century BCE. These reforms allowed male citizens to take part directly in the decision-making process of the city-state, which was a significant departure from the monarchies and oligarchies that were prevalent at the time.

The Athenian democracy was a form of direct democracy, where citizens participated in the Ecclesia, or the Assembly, to vote on laws and public policies. This was a radical idea at the time, as it gave power to the many rather than the few. However, it is important to note that this form of democracy was limited to a small portion of the population—women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded from the political process.

While the Romans did not invent democracy, they did contribute significantly to the development of political thought and the concept of civitas, or citizenship. The Roman Republic had a complex system of checks and balances, with power distributed among different political bodies such as the Senate, the Assembly of the People, and the Consuls. The Roman model was more akin to a representative democracy, where elected officials represented the interests of the people.

The Romans also made a significant contribution by preserving many works from Ancient Greece, including those that discussed democratic principles. This allowed the ideas of democracy to survive through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, where they were rediscovered and re-evaluated by political philosophers.

In the modern era, the concept of democracy has evolved to include representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This system allows for a broader participation and is more practical in larger states. The modern democratic model, while inspired by both Greek and Roman ideas, tends to lean more towards the representative system established by the Romans.

The journey of democracy from its ancient origins to its modern form has been a long and complex one, shaped by countless historical events, philosophical debates, and the evolution of societal norms. It is a testament to the adaptability and resilience of the concept, which continues to be a cornerstone of political systems around the world.

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The Romans invented the concept of classics and many works from Ancient Greece were preserved. Additionally, the Roman model of governance inspired many political thinkers over the centuries, and today's modern (representative) democracies imitate more the Roman than the Greek models.read more >>