Women and Enslaved People in Sparta (Part 2)
Enslaved People: Spartans who were enslaved, the helots, were people the Spartans had conquered. There were many more helots than citizens in Sparta. The Spartans treated the helots harshly, fearful that the helots would revolt.
Occasionally, the Spartan government declared war on the helots so that any people it thought might rebel could be legally killed. In fact, the Spartan government once asked the helots to choose their best fighters, saying that these people would be set free as thanks for fighting for Sparta. The helots selected 2,000 men. Immediately, the Spartans killed every one of them to eliminate the possibility of any future helot leaders.
Despite this harsh treatment, helots did retain some rights. They could marry whomever and whenever they wanted. They could pass their names on to their children. They could sell any leftover crops after giving their owner his share. Helots who saved enough money could even purchase their freedom.