ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the ancient Greek landscape of Athens and provides some clues as to the concept of interaction between landscape and people. It presents an overview of the key theoretical areas relating to participation and the landscape and describes two sub-areas of increasing interest which are, most importantly, recognised and supported by the European Landscape Convention. The two sub-areas are that landscape is a reflection of human interaction with natural forces and that people's participation in the landscape has a potential role in relation to democracy, decision-making and justice. The enhanced natural auditorium of the oratory and open space on Pnika Hill was the official meeting place of the Athenian democratic assembly. In democratic theory there is a fundamental belief in the goodness of the human individual and the ability of individuals who come together to make decisions in choosing the right option for the communal weal.
