The role of the helots in ancient Spartan society has been a much debated and discussed topic in recent decades. Having existed during a time period of which Sparta achieved much prosperity and success, one can suggest that the helots contributed significantly to the state’s economic and social growth. Although positioned the nethermost on the Spartan social hierarchy, the contributions made by the helots to universal Spartan culture were prodigious. This was apparent through the labour the helots carried out having an immense effect on the Spartan economy and the rebellions instigated by the helots resulting in both negative and positive social effects for the civilisation. However, as the Spartans never recorded their own history, it was
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Nonetheless, Plutarch, ancient Greek historian, frequently wrote about the helots of Sparta. Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus – centered upon legendary lawgiver of Sparta, Lycurgus – focused significantly on the helots, specifically on the nature of the Crypteia and the effect it had on the slave population. The city-state of Sparta experienced political freedom until the Roman conquest of Greece in 146BCE. Soon after this subjugation, Sparta underwent a long period of decline, losing most of its militaristic spark the society was renowned for. As Plutarch was born in 45CE, this means that over one hundred years would have passed between the Roman conquest of Sparta and Plutarch composing Life of Lycurgus. Consequently, it was probable that much of the information regarding the helots in Plutarch’s literary work may be slightly inaccurate, as he was not alive during the time of which he wrote about. However, it was likely that Plutarch would have gained information from other ancient historians who also wrote about the helots, such as Xenophon. This would have increased the accuracy of Plutarch’s account. Moreover, this excerpt from Plutarch was relevant in regards to explaining the nature of the members of the Crypteia and the intimidation they asserted over the helots. Furthermore, the source was also representative of the Crypteia and the mass …show more content…
Paul Cartledge, British historian and academic, has composed works concentrated upon this civilisation. In Cartledge’s response to fellow historian’s – Richard Talbert – literary work, A Spartan-Helot Struggle, he commented that “It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the Spartans genuinely [feared] helot revolt”. This source was accurate as it showcased the Spartans’ feelings and attitudes towards the helots. Moreover, as Cartledge is a qualified ancient historian with a PhD focused upon Spartan archaeology, this individual would be very appropriate to comment upon ancient Spartan history, therefore, making this source very reliable. However, as this source was found on the search engine, Google Scholar, only excerpts from his literary work was able to be viewed for free. This means that other information in Cartledge’s text that may have been more relevant to the Spartan helots was not discovered. Consequently, resulting in the quote from this composed work utilised not necessarily being the most representative of the Spartan
Nonetheless, Plutarch, ancient Greek historian, frequently wrote about the helots of Sparta. Plutarch’s Life of Lycurgus – centered upon legendary lawgiver of Sparta, Lycurgus – focused significantly on the helots, specifically on the nature of the Crypteia and the effect it had on the slave population. The city-state of Sparta experienced political freedom until the Roman conquest of Greece in 146BCE. Soon after this subjugation, Sparta underwent a long period of decline, losing most of its militaristic spark the society was renowned for. As Plutarch was born in 45CE, this means that over one hundred years would have passed between the Roman conquest of Sparta and Plutarch composing Life of Lycurgus. Consequently, it was probable that much of the information regarding the helots in Plutarch’s literary work may be slightly inaccurate, as he was not alive during the time of which he wrote about. However, it was likely that Plutarch would have gained information from other ancient historians who also wrote about the helots, such as Xenophon. This would have increased the accuracy of Plutarch’s account. Moreover, this excerpt from Plutarch was relevant in regards to explaining the nature of the members of the Crypteia and the intimidation they asserted over the helots. Furthermore, the source was also representative of the Crypteia and the mass …show more content…
Paul Cartledge, British historian and academic, has composed works concentrated upon this civilisation. In Cartledge’s response to fellow historian’s – Richard Talbert – literary work, A Spartan-Helot Struggle, he commented that “It is hard to avoid the conclusion that the Spartans genuinely [feared] helot revolt”. This source was accurate as it showcased the Spartans’ feelings and attitudes towards the helots. Moreover, as Cartledge is a qualified ancient historian with a PhD focused upon Spartan archaeology, this individual would be very appropriate to comment upon ancient Spartan history, therefore, making this source very reliable. However, as this source was found on the search engine, Google Scholar, only excerpts from his literary work was able to be viewed for free. This means that other information in Cartledge’s text that may have been more relevant to the Spartan helots was not discovered. Consequently, resulting in the quote from this composed work utilised not necessarily being the most representative of the Spartan