helot

views updated May 18 2018

helot a member of a class of serfs in ancient Sparta, intermediate in status between slaves and citizens. The name comes via Latin from Greek Heilōtes (plural), traditionally taken as referring to Helos, a Laconian town whose inhabitants were enslaved.

helot

views updated Jun 27 2018

helot serf in ancient Sparta. XVI. — L. (H)īlōtæ, Hēlōtes pl. — Gr. Heílōtes, Heílōtai; of unkn. orig.

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