Aristotle recognised that inclusion of all citizens, and freedom of speech, were not the only hallmarks of a democratic constitution, but that citizens were paid for attending the Ekklesia. Therefore, citizens of Athens, through the Ekklesia, had an important role in Athenian democracy relating to the legislative, administrative and military issues of fifth-century Athens.
The Boule consisted of 500 citizens, 50 from each deme, who served for one year. Chosen by lot from each deme to assure equal representation, only men over 30 and from the top three classes - pentacosiomedimni, hippeis and zeugatie - could be chosen. Aristotle notes however that an individual could only hold membership twice in a lifetime and not in consecutive years. Normally only 50 members of the monthly presiding tribe (prytaneis) would be required though, a citizen having the right to be president of the prytaneis once. Thorley notes that the main role of the Boule, and therefore the Athenian citizens it consisted of, was as the "executive body" that prepared the agenda and legislation to be voted on for all meetings of the Ekklesia. The citizens in the Boule also received ambassadors, drew up lists for ostracism, inspected cavalry and naval ships, tried magistrates accused of mismanagement and checked qualifications of newly allotted officials. Athenian citizens therefore had significant roles that involved fulfilling administrative positions on orders of the people - religious, financial, military or economic - to obey the command of magistrates, and to have the political responsibility in the daily running of the state.
The Heliaea was name given to the law courts of Athens, where citizens over the age of 30 (including thetes) were chosen by lot from a roll of 6000 by Source 15, a kleroterion. The use of a kleroterion highlighted the Athenians desire to be fair and equal. According to Aristotle, the jurors (dikasteria) were paid 2-3 obols a day, a democratic innovation parallel to that of the Ekklesia in which poorer citizens were allowed to participate in the governance of their city.
