Western democracy can primarily be traced back to ancient Greece, particularly Athens, where the world's first democratic system with direct citizen participation and decision-making emerged in the 5th century BC. Athens' democracy was characterized by a system of assemblies, popular participation in politics, and the rule of law.
Phoenicians, on the other hand, are recognized for their advanced maritime culture, their development of writing (the Phoenician alphabet), their contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and their expansive trading network that connected Mediterranean and Middle Eastern civilizations.
Therefore, while Phoenicians played a significant role in shaping the Western world, the foundation of Western democracy developed independently in ancient Greece.
