HELOT Meaning and
Definition
-
Helot is a term derived from ancient Greek history, commonly used to describe a member of the lowest class of serf-like farmers in ancient Sparta. The helots were primarily descendants of the indigenous population of Messenia, an area conquered by the Spartans in the 8th century BC. Unlike the free Spartan citizens, the helots were deprived of most civil rights and were bound to the land they cultivated, essentially serving as agricultural slaves.
As a helot, one's life was marked by extreme hardship, as they were subjected to mandatory labor and harsh treatment by their Spartan overlords. They were obliged to deliver a portion of their agricultural produce to the Spartan state, which perpetuated their impoverished status. Furthermore, helots were often subject to physical abuse and acts of violence, as the Spartans deemed it necessary to maintain control over their suppressed population.
The term "helot" has evolved to symbolize any individual or group subjected to servitude or oppression throughout history. It is predominantly used to depict a person or a community that is exploited, subjugated, or systemically oppressed. The word often carries a negative connotation, highlighting the profound injustice and suffering endured by those who are deemed inferior or less privileged within a given society.
-
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HELOT *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HELOT
Etymology of HELOT
The word "helot" originates from ancient Greece and specifically refers to a social class in Spartan society. The etymology of the word is uncertain, but there are a few theories:
1. It is believed that "helot" comes from the Greek word "heilotes" (Ἑιλῶτες), which denotes the subjugated population group in Sparta. This theory suggests that "heilotes" might have been derived from the word "eilein" (εἴλειν), meaning "to capture" or "to enslave".
2. Another theory proposes that "helot" could have been derived from the Greek word "helos" (ἕλος), meaning "marsh" or "lowland".
Similar spelling words for HELOT
- Heald,
- hold,
- heldt,
- lot,
- hilt,
- he'll,
- health,
- hoot,
- healthy,
- helmet,
- Hell,
- halt,
- healed,
- halo,
- heat,
- helt,
- Hewlett,
- hot,
- hello,
- held.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
