What was the brutal treatment of Helots involving the Krypteia?
- Cut the throats of any helots found
- Killed helots at night
Plutarch, Life of Lykourgos 28 and Aristotle agree on this.
What was stated about a Spartiate at home and on campaign?
He takes out the handle of his shield at home and always keep their spears with them on campaign.
Kritias, On Slavery 2.87
This indicates the Spartans’ constant readiness for potential Helot revolts.
What was the ratio of Spartans to Helots in the army during the battle of Platea?
7:1
There were 5000 Spartans and 35,000 Helots present. According to Herodotus 9.28.
What did the Helots who fought with Brasidas receive?
Their freedom, according to Thuc. 5.34
This was a significant incentive for Helots to fight alongside Spartans.
What was the economic importance of Helots to Spartan society?
- Gave half of their produce to Spartans [Tyrtaeus, fragments]
- Worked like asses [Tyrtaeus, fragments]
- Provided enough female slaves for clothing production [Xen.Lak.Pol.1]
Helots’ labor allowed Spartans to focus on military training and governance.
True or false: The Ephors made a formal declaration of war on the Helots every year.
TRUE [Plut.Lyk.28]
This was to avoid religious pollution from the murder of Helots.
What did Thucydides say about Spartan institutions?
Designed with a view to security against the Helots
This reflects the constant threat the Helots posed to Spartan society.
Fill in the blank: The Helots had to give Spartans half of their _______.
produce
This was a key aspect of the Helots’ economic role in Spartan society, as told by earlier Spartan source Tyrtaeus, fragments.
What was the Athenian attitude towards having Greek slaves?
Unpopular move
This reflects the complexities of Spartan foreign relations and their reliance on Helots.
What did Xenophon say about the activities regarded as permissible occupations for Spartans?
Only those contributing to the freedom of the state
This highlights the Spartan focus on military and civic duty.
What was the fear of Spartans regarding the Athenians after the great earthquake?
Spreading revolutionary ideas
This led to the decision to send Athenians home, which offended them, as told by Thucydides 1.102.
How were the Helots a threat?
Their resentment meant they would “gladly eat their masters raw” [Xen. Hellenica] and in Sparta sentries near arms dumps would “watch out for friends not enemies” [Xen.Lak.Pol.12]
