Who made the important decisions and what decisions needed to be made in Athens?

In ancient Athens, important decisions were primarily made by the Assembly (Ekklesia), which consisted of male citizens who participated directly in governance. Key decisions included matters of war and peace, lawmaking, and the allocation of public funds. Additionally, the Council of 500 (Boule) played a crucial role in setting the agenda for the Assembly and preparing issues for discussion. The democratic process allowed for a wide range of citizens to engage in decision-making, although it excluded women, slaves, and non-citizens.