Helots were members of the servile population of some Greek-city states, particularly Sparta. The helots were technically not privately owned slaves.
"Oftentimes, too, they actually traversed the fields where Helots were working and slew the sturdiest and best of them." Plutarch, The Life of Lycurgus The quote above says that owners of helots would travel on their own fields looking for the largest and strongest helots. The owners would then kill them so that they did not serve as a threat during a slave revolt.
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All citizens, called equals, worked and trained together on land that was worked by the helots. Helots were distributed equally among the equals.
Origin
Helots were most likely inhabitants of Laconia and Messenia. After Sparta conquered Messania and all of the land surrounding in the 8th century B.C.E. , all of its citizens were given the status of helots.
Understanding where the slaves came from allows historians to learn about the regions that Sparta conquered.
culture
Helots were homogenous because of their unique language and customs. They had a few aspects of life in which they were treated properly. They could own homes, land, and have families.
The end of the Battle of Leuctra resulted in more freedom for the helots. Thebes allowed them to expand and develop their culture.