[This is a note I got from someone while we were discussing modern "Democracy". I was unaware of these facts about the Romans. Jan]

The Roman Senate was hereditary, not elective, as was the House of Lords for most of its history.

The Roman tribunes were elected by the commoners, the plebeians, to act as a check on the Senate.

The people could also vote in their tribes, even to pass laws.

Athens had an executive council which managed the day to day affairs of the City. It was randomly selected from the dozen-odd precincts of the City, but had no great power.