The large number of institutions, coupled with the annual rotation of offices, permitted the participation of almost every citizen in the governing of the city. In addition, it contributed to the development of a very deep feeling of political responsibility among the people. Athenian citizens in the Assembly of Citizens exercised power and had the main responsibility for the observance of the law. According to Herodotus, the dominance of the people is one of the three defining elements of a democracy which distinguish it from a monarchy. The other two elements were the election of the archons by lot and their accountability in office.

The absolute dominance of the people in the exercise of all power was nevertheless vulnerable to excess and arbitrariness, if left unchecked, and they were prey to misleading demagogues. For that reason, certain restrictions were introduced on the power of the Assembly. The most important of these was the demand that its decrees not contravene existing laws. During the last years of the 5^th century B.C., special procedures were introduced for the review and institution of laws. In accordance with these procedures, all suggested amendments were submitted to the legislators, mainly in order to prevent spontaneous votes of the Assembly, such as those which those that had led to the overthrow of democracy in 411/0 and in 404/3 B.C.

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