What was the relationship between the Spartans, Helots and Perioikoi?
The Spartans were the only full time army in ancient Greece and were thus truly an elite force. The institutions of the state and the system of education were organized with a view to creating superbly trained soldiers. Their need of trained soldiers was much needed to enhance law and order. They needed to keep the helots at bay because they out numbered the Spartans. In this essay I will discuss the relationship of the different classes in the Spartan system: Helots, Perioikoi and the Spartan citizens.
The Helots were the peoples who inhabited the lands of Messenia, which neighboured Sparta. Messenia was conquered by the Spartans in 640-620 BC.
The Helots lived on the land of the Homoioi (elite Spartans) families. Their main duty was agricultural. They were responsible for farming the land and supplying a fixed quota of produce annually. This allowed the Spartans to focus their attention on their military training. It was considered beneath the Homoioi to work the land.
As a military society the Spartans relied heavily on the Helots to provide the necessary food and provisions. Any produce that was left over the Helot families were allowed to keep and do with as they wished. A highly frugal society, the Spartans were not greedy or selfish in their consumption.
Helots could also act as servants to Spartan soldiers during times of war. When necessary the Spartans raised whole armies of Helots who acted as light armed soldiers. The Helots did not desert the Spartans in battle but sometimes they did they were not always loyal. Distinguished military service could mean freedom for a deserving Helot and his family. As shown by Thucydides during the blockade of Sphacteria.
The Spartans were the only full time army in ancient Greece and were thus truly an elite force. The institutions of the state and the system of education were organized with a view to creating superbly trained soldiers. Their need of trained soldiers was much needed to enhance law and order. They needed to keep the helots at bay because they out numbered the Spartans. In this essay I will discuss the relationship of the different classes in the Spartan system: Helots, Perioikoi and the Spartan citizens.
The Helots were the peoples who inhabited the lands of Messenia, which neighboured Sparta. Messenia was conquered by the Spartans in 640-620 BC.
The Helots lived on the land of the Homoioi (elite Spartans) families. Their main duty was agricultural. They were responsible for farming the land and supplying a fixed quota of produce annually. This allowed the Spartans to focus their attention on their military training. It was considered beneath the Homoioi to work the land.
As a military society the Spartans relied heavily on the Helots to provide the necessary food and provisions. Any produce that was left over the Helot families were allowed to keep and do with as they wished. A highly frugal society, the Spartans were not greedy or selfish in their consumption.
Helots could also act as servants to Spartan soldiers during times of war. When necessary the Spartans raised whole armies of Helots who acted as light armed soldiers. The Helots did not desert the Spartans in battle but sometimes they did they were not always loyal. Distinguished military service could mean freedom for a deserving Helot and his family. As shown by Thucydides during the blockade of Sphacteria.