SOURCE6 An account of Spartan motives for suppressing the helots, from Sarah B Pomeroy, et al., Ancient Greece: A Political, Social and Cultural History , 1999 The Second Messenian War [of c. 650 BC] had been a terrifying revelation of the potential risks of the helot system, and the possibility of a repetition haunted the imaginations of Spartans and their enemies. One certain way of avoiding such a catastrophe, abandoning Messenia, was unthinkable . . . the Spartans realized that if all potential hoplites could be mobilized and trained to the highest degree of skill possible, Sparta would enjoy an overwhelming military advantage over its helots and other enemies . . . In effect they waged a perpetual war against the helots and were consequently always prepared to engage in other acts of aggression when necessary.
SOURCE7 An account of Sparta recruiting helots as soldiers, from Antony Andrewes, Greek Society , 1991
The other main source [of recruits] was the helots. The 700 whom Brasidas took with him to the north [in 425 BC] were still formally slaves; they were only liberated on their return home . . . About the same time . . . Sparta created a whole new class . . . These were helots who were already liberated at the time when they were enrolled. For the next ýfty years, they were a very important part in Sparta’s military effort . . . The training-up of such numbers from a notoriously oppressed and ill-treated class looks like an appalling risk, though no doubt, in case of trouble, the Spartans could count on the perioikoi [perioeci] to support them.
4.6 SkillBuilder activity USING HISTORICAL SOURCES 1. Compare and contrast SOURCES 6 and 7 and make notes on the differences and similarities between each. 2. Describe the conclusions each of these secondary sources present on Spartan attitudes towards the helots. 3. Discuss how SOURCE6 and SOURCE7 differ in their interpretations of Sparta’s treatment of the helots.
4.6
Exercise
Learning pathways LEVEL1 2, 3, 8
LEVEL2
LEVEL3
1, 4, 6
5, 7, 9, 10
REMEMBER AND UNDERSTAND 1. Identify why Sparta needed to develop a strong army. 2. Identify the correct words to complete the passage.
Spartan women had less / more freedom and better / worse lives than Athenian women. Spartan women could / couldnot own land and represent themselves in court. They were expected to stay meek and helpless / keep physically ýt , bear smart / strong children and to be obedient / tough . 3. Identify the correct words to complete the passage. The Dorian / perioeci / helots were descended from Dorian / perioeci / helots tribes who had settled in other areas around Sparta. They were mainly craftspeople and merchants but they could not be Spartan citizens. The Dorian / perioeci / helots were slaves. 4. Identify why the position of the helots differs from that of slaves in other parts of Greece. A. They were owned by individuals. B. They were owned by the Spartan state. C. They had rights and freedoms. D. They were treated with respect by the Spartans. 5. Explain how the slavery of the helots made the Spartan way of life possible.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator