Helots and Their Masters in Messenia and Laconia: Histories, Ideologies, Structures (Hellenic Studies): 4 (Hellenic Studies Series) - Softcover

Luraghi, Nino; Alcock, Susan; Cartledge, Paul; Figueira, Thomas J.; Hall, Jonathan M.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674012232 ISBN 13: 9780674012233

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 2004

Synopsis

The name "Helots" evokes one of the most famous peculiarities of ancient Sparta, the system of dependent labour that guaranteed the livelihood of the free citizens. The Helots fulfilled all the functions that slaves carried out elsewhere in the Greek world, allowing their masters the leisure to be full-time warriors. Yet, despite their crucial role, Helots remain essentially invisible in our ancient sources and peripheral and enigmatic in modern scholarship. This book is devoted to a much-needed reassessment of Helotry and of its place in the history and sociology of unfree labour. The essays deal with the origins and historical development of Helotry, with its sociological, economic and demographic aspects, with its ideological construction and negotiation.

About this title

Product Description:

Helots and Their Masters in Messenia and Laconia These essays deal with the origins and historical development of Helotry, with its sociological, economic and demographic aspects, and with its ideological construction and negotiation. Full description

Review:

Altogether, these papers provide a stimulating overview of the major questions, debates, and methodologies in current scholarship on helotage in one accessible volume. This collection of engaging and often provocative papers should realize its editors' interest in promoting future research on the history of the helots.--Ellen G. Millender"Bryn Mawr Classical Review" (06/26/2005)

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0674012232
• ISBN 13: 9780674012233
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400