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Large numbers of the slaves in Sparta were Helots. As they outnumbered the Spartans by seven to one, they were treated harshly in efforts to keep them under control. This had the opposite effect in many cases as there were several Helot rebellions. Every autumn, Sparta would offer open season on the Helots by declaring war on them so any Spartan could kill a Helot without fear of reprisal. Efforts were made to treat the Helots in the worst way imaginable. They were assigned tasks for the sole purpose of disgracing them. Each had to wear a dog skin cap and wrap themselves in skins. They were required to receive a stipulated number of beatings each year, even if they had done nothing wrong. This was to make them always remember they were slaves. Anyone treating the Helots any better than poorly subjected themselves to punishment as well.
The problem was with serfs - the people of Messenia which was taken over by Sparta. The population was bound to the land and had to deliver a percentage of their produce to the state (= serf).
They were so numerous that each Spartan citizen was allocated the payment of seven serfs (helots) to maintain them so that they could devote their main effort to military training. When a major military expedition was mounted, it meant that the number of Spartans left behind had to face an overwhelming number of restive serfs, so the expeditionary force took with it seven serfs for each armoured warrior (hoplite) to reduce the risk at home - these were used as light infantry, bowmen etc on the campaign. At the battle of Plataea the Spartan contingent comprised 5,000 Spartan hoplites and 35,000 helot light infantry. At Thermopylae the Spartan contingent of 300 hoplites had 2100 light infantry, who went down with the hoplites, so the famous 300 was really 2,400.
After years of taking casualties in wars, the number of Spartan hoplites dwindled seriously, and serfs were recruited during the Peloponnesian War as hoplites on promise of release from serfdom (their own plot of land) if they served well.
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Why did Sparta remian a poor farming society?
Because Sparta depended on slaves to do their work
What does the word Spartan mean?
The people that living in Sparta are Spartans. Sparta is located in Greece.
What was a captive worker enslaved by Sparta called?
The Spartans used Helots to till their land. These were, however, not slaves but serfs - that is they were bound to the land and delivered half their produce to Sparta. They were also used in war as light infantry, and the best of them freed from serfdom after good performance.
Which is better Sparta or Athens?
It depends if you are talking about which is stronger the answer would be that Sparta is stronger.They had a strong army but Athens had a better navy or if you want to know which has a better government or better education then the answer would be Athens.
Why did Sparta not join the Delian ague?
After Sparta successfully led the repulse of the Persian invasion, it proposed that the Greek cities inside the Persian Empire be evacuated to mainland Greece to end the conflict. Opportunistic Athens countered by forming a league of these cities to continue war. Sparta, facing a serf revolt at home left them to it.
Why were spartan so afraid of a slave revolt?
Sparta's population was mostly slaves, and their economy depended on slave labor. A slave revolt would certainly be economically devastating, and there was a distinct chance that the slaves would win and overthrow the Spartan government, so obviously this was always something Sparta was worried about.
Why didn't slaves revolt in Sparta?
The slaves or the helots (means slave) didn't revolt because they were to scared to. They were treated really harshly. There were alot of helots. The people were smart to treat them really bad for they can't go againt them. I hope that helped. :D
What effect did the slave revolt have on Sparta?
The revolt (which was crushed) caused Sparta to realise that they needed an army ready for battle the entire time if they were going to control the vast number of Helot slaves. So all men (and women to some degree) trained for battle and Sparta became the most feared fighting force in Greece. Answer And if the question is refereeing to revolts in mid 5th BC, after the great earthquake, than the answer is revolt destroyed the system completely
How many slaves did Sparta have in 400 bc?
250,000 slaves lived in Sparta in 400 B.C.
What type of society did Sparta did Sparta create in response to the revolt?
created many aspect of society
Are slaves in ancient Sparta a citizen?
no
In Sparta what are slaves called?
the Helots
What were slaves called in Sparta?
Helots.
How were women slaves treated in Sparta?
Women and slaves were treated unfairly because they were not allowed to be citizens,vote, and did not have any rights.there were no slaves in Sparta, and the women were treated with dignity.
How were women and slaves treated in Sparta?
Women and slaves were treated unfairly because they were not allowed to be citizens,vote, and did not have any rights.there were no slaves in Sparta, and the women were treated with dignity.
How are Athens and Sparta alike and differ?
well Sparta has slaves but they well are vary cruel and mean to there slaves and Athens gives and has respect
Why did the slaves want to revolt?
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