What was the Council of 500?

a council of citizens who met annually to discuss important issues
a council of long-serving citizens who selected and voted on important issues
a group of randomly chosen citizens who voted on the issues selected by the Assembly
a group of randomly chosen citizens who decided which issues the Assembly would debate

Council of 500 - the democracy of Athens. (6th century BC)

Explanation:

This was the first form of Democratic government (Polis - The City State) that was visualized by Aristotle in Athens there were three institution; the Assembly, the Court and the Council of 500.

The council was the representative body of the various tribes and were supposed to serve for one year. The job was to discuss and issue which were then presented to the Assembly for further discussion.

The Council members were the influential members of their community and were paid for their services as magistrates.