Ancient History HSC > Greece: Spartan Society to the Battle of Leuctra 371BC

The Perioeci

The Perioeci or "dwellers around," were free men of Sparta, mainly farmers and merchants who lacked the full citizenship of the Spartiates. They were natives of Lacedaemonia who did not have full citizen rights. They were not subject to the laws or education of the Spartan equals.

Please explore the following Internet sites and write a small report on the helots using the seven questions that follow. Email your report to your teacher or utilise this template and submit your report in person.

1. Definitions of helot@ (i) Wikipedia (ii) About.com (iii) 1911 Encyclopaedia.com

2 . Sparta - government and classes. A brief description of the perioeci.

3. William Smith, A Smaller History of [Ancient] Greece. A brief description of the perioeci.

4. Ancient History Sourcebook: Sparta. Do a "find" to uncover the information on perioeci.

5. Economy: Spartiate, Perioikoi and Helots. An article that considers the role of the perioeci in the Spartan economy.

6. Information about the perioeci at the NSW HSC Online site.

6. Inquiry into the Decline of Spartan Society until the Battle of Leuktra 371 BC. This article looks closely at the role of the perioeci in the economy of Sparta.

6. Sparta. A comprehensive look at Sparta at Answers.com.

7. Sparta. Another comprehensive little site with a quix and decent links.

8. The people of Sparta.

9. Perioeci at the Ancient Library.

1. From which areas of the Peloponnese did the perioeci originate?

2. What role did the perioeci play in the Spartan economy?

3. Describe the manner in which the Spartiates were dependant upon the perioeci? (Help)

4. Do you think that the relationship between the Spartiates and the perioeci was symbiotic? (Help)