First Representative Form of Government

When was the first representative form of government created? The first answer that comes to most people's mind is the democracy of ancient Greece. But we need to go a thousand years further back in history to a point in time where we'll find a government being set up that was the basis on which our government structure in America was based.

Our system of government is based on smaller local governments being resposible for local issues (such as issues related to a neighborhood school); with that expanding outward to cities/towns; to counties; to states; to the federal government. Where did this idea first originate? In the Bible:

"But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, on hundred, fifty, and ten." - Exodus 18:21