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Ancient sources reveal that, when the Athenian demos needed to entrust a diplomatic mission outside the polis, the choice converged on the citizen who could be considered “special” for the status conferred on him by the temporary decision of the people, but also for the personal characteristics that determined the choice. Democracy needed “special” citizens, especially in external relations, but also needed to verify their incorruptibility and loyalty. In this regard, in a constant transformation of the perception of the ambassador in his interaction with the democratic institutions, we can identify two different democratic approaches to the embassy, distinguishable on the basis of the real autonomia available to the polis in a specific historical moment.