Why is the government during the age of Percicles referred to direct democracy?

Answer 1

The citizens (adult males) met in assembly fortnightly and discussed and voted on laws and the conduct of the state, the council carried out the directions of the assembly between meetings. In that way, they were the government.

An indirect democracy is where people elect representatives to a parliament, and the parliament makes the decisions, which are not necessarily what the people wanted.

A direct democracy was possible with a city-state where the citizens lived close enough to attend the assemblies. Elected representative democracy is unavoidable where the distance preclude this, however fast-growing communications efficiency will offer the ability to install direct democracy, however this will be strongly resisted by today's politicians who will not want to give up perks and power, just as it was resisted in ancient Greece.

Answer 2

Government was run by fortnightly assemblies of the adult male citizens.

Demos = the people, kratos = power. People Power