How did Athenian democracy actually work on a daily basis?

The answer

In Athens, the Assembly (ekklesia) met roughly 40 times per year on the Pnyx hill, where any of the 30,000 eligible male citizens could attend, debate, and vote on laws, wars, and alliances. The Council of 500 (Boule), which set the Assembly's agenda, was chosen entirely by lottery - not election - to prevent wealthy elites from dominating. Officials served strict one-year terms, and the practice of ostracism allowed citizens to vote to exile any politician deemed too powerful for ten years.