What is the primary role of the Committee of 59 in Athenian democracy?

The primary role of the Committee of 59 in Athenian democracy was indeed to receive requests from citizens. This committee functioned as a means for ordinary citizens to express their grievances, proposals, and requests related to public matters. By allowing citizens to bring forward issues they faced or ideas for improvement, the Committee of 59 played a crucial role in facilitating public participation and ensuring that the voices of the populace were heard in the democratic process.

This engagement was essential in a direct democracy like that of Athens, where the involvement of citizens was key to governance. The committee acted as a conduit for communication between the people and the political system, reinforcing the principles of democracy by allowing citizens to influence decision-making and public policy directly through their petitions and requests.