Helots

he'lots, a class of peasant serfs among the ancient Spartans. They were owned by the state and were bound to the soil. They were alloted to the various citizens and performed the work of slaves. Ordinarily they were allowed a certain share of the produce of the fields they cultivated. In war they served as light armed troops. They were doubtless the survivors of an aboriginal people conquered by the Doric invaders. There are tales of cruel and of horrible atrocities, such as wholesale massacre, to keep down their numbers and prevent revolt. See Sparta; Slavery