athenians

But of course, right know the rest of the EU are probably cursing the ancient Athenians for inventing democracy...

Just like the Athenians found with democracy - where they chose at random their executive each year.

The Athenians thereupon put to death all who were of military age, and made slaves of the women and children.

And then later athenians voted to change the law so two athenian parents would be required.

And the athenians were weary about them having influence just like they ostracized any citizen who had too much influence.

You would not have dwelt here most consistently of all the Athenians if the city had not been exceedingly pleasing to you.

The Athenians actually used to select some of their officials by random chance.

Whereas Greeks see the ancient Macedonians as part of their own ancient history, like the Ionians and Athenians and Minoans and other Greek peoples.

The ancients certainly enjoyed playing the compare and contrast game with the Athenians and it never seemed to come up in the numerous differences.

This is similar to how the Athenians eventually defeated the Spartans by never engaging them in close combat and raining arrows and spears on them.

The quote from Plato wasn't accidental, the Athenians condemned Socrates.

Today I learned that the Athenians were assholes, at least for awhile.

However, your argument about elections vs lotteries literally had only one thing to say about the Athenians which was "The Republic in Athens was based on the lottery and it lasted literally for centuries.".

We do say that you too, Socrates, are open to those charges if you do what you have in mind; you would be among, not the least, but the most guilty of the Athenians." And if I should say "Why so?" they might well be right to upbraid me and say that I am among the Athenians who most definitely came to that agreement with them.

Athenians undoubtedly considered the teachings of Socrates--especially his expressions of disdain for the established constitution--partially responsible for the resulting death and suffering.

Athenians: No, your enmity is not half so mischievous to us as your friendship; for the one is in the eyes of our subjects an argument of our power, the other of our weakness.

But Thucydides said the same thing about Athenians.