The role of the helots in 'educating' the Spartans

This article considers and analyzes the ancient sources mentioning the role played by the helots in the upbringing of sons of Spartan citizens. The focus is on the ways and forms through which the helots were exploited to educate the young generation there. The status of the helots poses a significa...

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Main Author: L.G. Pechatnova
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: Kazan Federal University 2022-12-01
Series:Učënye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta: Seriâ Gumanitarnye Nauki
Subjects:
Online Access:https://kpfu.ru/uz-eng-hum-2022-6-7.html
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author L.G. Pechatnova
author_facet L.G. Pechatnova
author_sort L.G. Pechatnova
collection DOAJ
description This article considers and analyzes the ancient sources mentioning the role played by the helots in the upbringing of sons of Spartan citizens. The focus is on the ways and forms through which the helots were exploited to educate the young generation there. The status of the helots poses a significant challenge to researchers because there are few sources on this issue, mostly dated back to a later period. Thus, all observations and reasoning can be only hypothetical at present. The system of public education in Sparta assumed complete separation of the civilian youth from other groups of residents, especially from the helots, in order to cultivate a sense of being chosen among them: they were forced to believe that a deep abyss existed between them and the helots. To widen and aggravate this impairment, a number of rules were introduced, such as obligatory helotic clothes making those wearing them stand out in the crowd. The analysis of the sources shows that the helots were cast in a poor light as an important part of the ideological education of the Spartans. They were exposed as living examples of the worst behaviors that were allegedly inherent in them and unacceptable to other citizens. It was a common practice to portray the helots as drunkards or freaks to inspire contempt and disgust for them in the young people of Sparta. By absorbing this ideology, the latter were prepared for the crypteia, when they had to attack the helots or, possibly, even carry out their mass executions. The strict segregation imposed in Sparta became the basis of the relations between the Spartans and the helots, impeded social mobility, and consolidated the social hierarchy.
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spelling doaj.art-9fba5a4f282c42a8842929cb377a08a02023-05-15T11:48:00ZrusKazan Federal UniversityUčënye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta: Seriâ Gumanitarnye Nauki2541-77382500-21712022-12-01164610811710.26907/2541-7738.2022.6.108-117The role of the helots in 'educating' the SpartansL.G. Pechatnova0St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, 199034 RussiaThis article considers and analyzes the ancient sources mentioning the role played by the helots in the upbringing of sons of Spartan citizens. The focus is on the ways and forms through which the helots were exploited to educate the young generation there. The status of the helots poses a significant challenge to researchers because there are few sources on this issue, mostly dated back to a later period. Thus, all observations and reasoning can be only hypothetical at present. The system of public education in Sparta assumed complete separation of the civilian youth from other groups of residents, especially from the helots, in order to cultivate a sense of being chosen among them: they were forced to believe that a deep abyss existed between them and the helots. To widen and aggravate this impairment, a number of rules were introduced, such as obligatory helotic clothes making those wearing them stand out in the crowd. The analysis of the sources shows that the helots were cast in a poor light as an important part of the ideological education of the Spartans. They were exposed as living examples of the worst behaviors that were allegedly inherent in them and unacceptable to other citizens. It was a common practice to portray the helots as drunkards or freaks to inspire contempt and disgust for them in the young people of Sparta. By absorbing this ideology, the latter were prepared for the crypteia, when they had to attack the helots or, possibly, even carry out their mass executions. The strict segregation imposed in Sparta became the basis of the relations between the Spartans and the helots, impeded social mobility, and consolidated the social hierarchy.https://kpfu.ru/uz-eng-hum-2022-6-7.htmlspartaspartanshelotscrypteiaupbringingcritiasxenophonplutarch
spellingShingle L.G. Pechatnova
The role of the helots in 'educating' the Spartans
Učënye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta: Seriâ Gumanitarnye Nauki
sparta
spartans
helots
crypteia
upbringing
critias
xenophon
plutarch
title The role of the helots in 'educating' the Spartans
title_full The role of the helots in 'educating' the Spartans
title_fullStr The role of the helots in 'educating' the Spartans
title_full_unstemmed The role of the helots in 'educating' the Spartans
title_short The role of the helots in 'educating' the Spartans
title_sort role of the helots in educating the spartans
topic sparta
spartans
helots
crypteia
upbringing
critias
xenophon
plutarch
url https://kpfu.ru/uz-eng-hum-2022-6-7.html
work_keys_str_mv AT lgpechatnova theroleofthehelotsineducatingthespartans
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