noun
definition
A member of the ancient Spartan class of serfs.
definition
A serf; a slave.
Examples of helot in a Sentence
The mothones or mothakes were usually the sons of Spartiates and helot mothers; they were free men sharing the Spartan training, but were not full citizens, though they might become such in recognition of special merit.
The institution was under the supervision of the ephors, who, on entering office, annually proclaimed war against the helots (serf-class) and thus absolved from the guilt of murder any Spartan who should slay a helot.
His mother was probably a helot, for Gylippus is said to have been, like Lysander and Callicratidas, a mothax (see Helot).
It was instituted primarily as a precaution against the ever-present danger of a helot revolt, and secondarily perhaps as a training for young Spartans, who were sent out by the ephors to keep watch on the helots and assassinate any who might appear dangerous.