Helot definition

hĕlət
One of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta, neither a slave nor a free citizen.
noun
2
1
An individual of the ancient Spartan class of serfs.
noun
1
0
A member of the lowest class of serfs in ancient Sparta.
noun
1
1
Any serf or slave.
noun
1
1
A serf; a slave.
noun
0
0
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A person in servitude; a serf.
noun
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2

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
helot
Plural:
helots

Origin of helot

  • From Greek Heilōtes pl. of Heilōs Heilōt-

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Latin Helotes, from Ancient Greek Εἵλωτες (Eilōtes), possibly from ἁλίσκομαι (haliskomai, “to be captured, to be made prisoner”).

    From Wiktionary

Helot Sentence Examples

  • 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.

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