In what ways was Athens not a true democrocy?

Women could not participate in government. Women made up roughly half the population of ancient Athens, but they had no political power and were considered legally inferior to men. Women could not vote or hold public office, and they were not allowed to own property. They were also required to be accompanied by a male relative when they appeared in public.

Citizenship was restricted. Only male citizens over the age of eighteen could participate in the assembly and vote in elections. This excluded a significant portion of the population, including women, slaves, and foreigners.

The rich had more influence than the poor. The Athenian assembly was open to all citizens regardless of socioeconomic status, but the rich had more influence and power than the poor. This was because the rich could afford to pay for political office, and they could also use their wealth to influence the votes of the poor.

The government was not always stable. The Athenian government was often unstable, and there were frequent power struggles between different factions. This led to political instability and made it difficult for the government to function effectively.

The Athenian democracy was not perfect, but it was still a remarkable achievement. It was the first government in history to be based on the idea that all citizens should have a say in how their society was run.