The monograph examines the process of formation of Athenian democracy during the archaic and classical periods (8th - mid-5th century BC). Questions about what Athenian democracy is, when it arose and what role certain social strata played in its emergence remain controversial for a long time. The book shows that one of the significant incentives for the emergence of democracy is the struggle for power and influence within the aristocracy, in which the Athenian demos was often involved. In the process of this struggle, on the one hand, equal conditions were created for the “best” (eunomia, isonomia), and on the other, the political rights of the common people were expanded. The result of these processes is a state structure in which collegial political institutions play a significant role, primarily the people's assembly, which elected officials, and the helieia (people's court), which exercised control over the annually elected magistrates. Nevertheless, Athenian democracy cannot be considered popular rule or “rule of the people.” The Athenians themselves characterized it as collective rule or the power of the “majority” - those who had political rights. The book is addressed to both specialists and researchers, as well as a wide range of readers interested in the history of Greece. The publishing layout of the book is saved in PDF A4 format.