The first successful democracy is generally attributed to ancient Greece, particularly the city-state of Athens, around the 5th century BCE. Athenian democracy was characterized by the participation of citizens in decision-making through assemblies and councils. It was a direct form of democracy where citizens could speak and vote on issues affecting their city-state. Though not without its limitations, such as excluding women and slaves from the political process, Athenian democracy has served as a foundational model for modern democratic systems worldwide.