What term describes the enslaved peoples who farmed for the Spartans?

The term that describes the enslaved peoples who farmed for the Spartans is "Helots." In ancient Sparta, helots were a subjugated population primarily taken from the region of Messenia, which the Spartans conquered. This group was forced to work the land and provide agricultural produce to support the Spartan economy and military. The Spartans relied heavily on the labor of the helots because this allowed the Spartan citizens, who were a warrior class, to focus on military training and governance.

The significance of the helots in Spartan society cannot be overstated; their labor was crucial for the sustenance of the Spartan way of life. The relationship between the Spartans and helots was marked by oppression and control, leading to a social structure where Spartan warriors occupied a privileged position, while the helots were denied basic rights and subjected to harsh treatment. This dynamic also played a role in Spartan military strategy, as there was always a concern over helot revolts.

In contrast, the other terms like serfs, peasants, and farmers don't accurately capture the specific social and economic relationship present in Spartan society. Serfs were tied to the land they worked but were typically part of the feudal system seen in medieval Europe. Peas