The ancient civilization credited with the creation of democracy is Athens, a city-state in ancient Greece, around the 5th century BCE. The Athenian democracy was a direct form of governance where free male citizens participated in decision-making and voted on laws and policies. This political system was revolutionary, allowing citizens to have a role in their government rather than being subject to the rule of a monarch or oligarchs. The Athenian commitment to civic participation laid the foundation for modern democratic systems, promoting ideals of individual rights and collective governance that continue to influence political thought today.