Helot
['helət]
Definition
(n.) A slave in ancient Sparta; a Spartan serf; hence, a slave or serf.
Editor: Meredith
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Slave (of Sparta).
Edited by Eileen
Definition
n. one of a class of slaves among the ancient Spartans.—ns. Hē′lotage the state of a Helot; Hē′lotism the condition of the Helots in ancient Sparta: slavery; Hē′lotry the whole body of the Helots: any class of slaves.
Edited by Ingram
Examples
- When they heard the news, one was too ill to move; the other made his helot guide him to the battle, and there struck blindly until he was killed. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- A helot of Agesilaus made us a dish of Spartan broth, but I was not able to get down a second spoonful. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- In the Spartan state there had been enfranchisement of Helots and degradation of citizens under special circumstances. Plato. The Republic.
Editor: Maureen