Such institutions existed since before the times of the Iliad or of the Odyssey, and modern democracies are often derived from or inspired by them, or what remained of them.
Lembaga-lembaga semacam ini sudah ada sebelum zaman Ilias maupun Odisea, dan demokrasi-demokrasi modern seringkali diturunkan dari, atau terilhami oleh, lembaga-lembaga ini maupun sisa-sisanya.