They were heavily outnumbered by about 7 to I. The helots farmed the land and provided half their produce to the Spartans, which allowed the Spartans to concentrate on military training and activity. This is one of the reasons that when they sent out an expeditionary force, they sent 7 helots as light infantry for each Spartan hoplite to ensure the balance they left behind was not completely overwhelming. The other reason they sent them was it gave the armoured warriors a strong support force of archers and javelin men. At the battle of Plataea against the Persian invasion the Spartan contingent was 5,000 hoplites and 35,ooo helot support troops - by far the larges Greek contingent. The next largest was 8,000 Athenian hoplites and 8,000 light infantry.
If the helots defeated the Spartans, the Spartans, being defeated, could not do anything to them.
Helots
The Helots were the Spartans slaves. If the Spartans treated them well they would have been more likely to successfully rebel.
Spartans maintained control over the helots, who were essentially serfs bound to the land, through a combination of fear, violence, and systematic oppression. They employed a brutal regime of surveillance and intimidation, including the annual declaration of war against the helots, which justified acts of violence against them. Additionally, Spartans conducted regular secretive killings of helots deemed a threat, known as the Krypteia, to instill fear and prevent rebellion. This oppressive system ensured that the helots remained submissive and prevented them from rising against their Spartan overlords.
Helots
Helots
Helots
Helots
The Spartans believed that the helots were a threat to their society due to their large numbers and the potential for uprising. Therefore, they justified the killing of helots as a means of maintaining control and order in their society.
Helots were important because they revolted often. The average Spartan citizen had 12 helots to himself. So, the helots outnumbered the Spartans. The helots' large rebellions caused the Spartans to strenghten their army. This constant test of military ability made the Spartan military strong and powerful.
The text implies that it was necessary for the Spartans to terrorize the helots to maintain control and prevent uprisings against their oppressive rule. The helots, who were essentially serfs bound to the land, significantly outnumbered the Spartans, making it crucial for the latter to instill fear to secure their dominance. This systemic terror served to reinforce Spartan authority and ensure the stability of their militaristic society. Additionally, it helped to unify the Spartans by fostering a common enemy, thereby strengthening their internal cohesion.
Spartans needed to be able to keep helots at bay