What is one major criticism of direct democracy in Athenian times?

The criticism that direct democracy in Athenian times lacked efficiency is well-founded and highlights a significant challenge within this system. In a direct democracy, where citizens directly participate in decision-making, the process can become cumbersome and time-consuming. Every citizen is expected to engage in the discussions, debates, and voting on a multitude of issues, which can lead to delays and prolonged decision-making processes. The Athenian assembly, for instance, often had large numbers of participants, making it difficult to reach quick resolutions. This inefficiency contrasts with representative systems where elected officials can streamline decision-making processes. Thus, the criticism of direct democracy for its inefficiency captures one of the inherent challenges of such a model amidst a large populace.

The other options, while they might reflect different perspectives, do not accurately pinpoint the fundamental issue of operational efficiency that was central to the criticisms faced by the Athenian model of democracy.