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Military Conquests 

Without the resources and trading opportunities of the sea, Sparta turned to conquest to meet its growing needs.

The Spartans conquered the neighboring city-state of Messenia. Some conquered Messenians became a kind of slave called a helot (HEL ut). The helots belonged not to individual Spartans but to the polis as a whole. They were forced to farm the land and turn over half the food they raised to Sparta. Helots were treated harshly.

The helots produced enough food to support the Spartans. As a result, the Spartans did not have to farm for a living. Spartan men were free to become professional warriors.

The Helot Revolts 
In the early 400s BCE, the helots launched a violent revolt. Although the Spartans put down the revolt, they lived in fear of further unrest. The helots outnumbered them.

The Spartans faced a choice. They could give up control of the helots and the food they produced, or they could strengthen their control by turning Sparta into a military state. A military state is a society organized for the purpose of waging war.

The Spartans chose the second option. Not only did they create a military society, they also tried to control the helots through terror. Every year, the ephors declared war on the helots. This gave any Spartan the right to kill any helot without fear of punishment. At the same time, secret police watched over the helots.

Which city-state did Sparta conquer to meet its needs?
*
A) Athens
B) Corinth
C) Messenia
D) Thebes
What were the conquered Messenians called?
*
A) Citizens
B) Helots
C) Nobles
D) Hoplites
What job were the helots forced to perform?
*
A) To farm the land and provide food for Sparta
B) To fight in the Spartan army
C) To build ships for trade
D) To serve as government officials
What happened in the early 400s BCE?
*
A) Sparta conquered Athens.
B) The ephors were overthrown.
C) The helots launched a violent revolt.
D) Sparta became a democracy.
Why did the Spartans fear the helots?
*
A) The helots had strong weapons.
B) The helots could call on Athens for help.
C) The helots refused to farm.
D) The helots outnumbered the Spartans.
What is a military state?
*
A) A state that focuses on art and education
B) A society organized for the purpose of waging war
C) A democracy where all citizens can vote
D) A kingdom ruled by one king
What was the effect of the ephors’ yearly declaration of war?
*
A) Any Spartan could kill a helot without punishment.
B) The helots became citizens.
C) The Spartans stopped training soldiers.
D) The helots started their own government.

1 answer

  1. Which city-state did Sparta conquer to meet its needs?
    C) Messenia

  2. What were the conquered Messenians called?
    B) Helots

  3. What job were the helots forced to perform?
    A) To farm the land and provide food for Sparta

  4. What happened in the early 400s BCE?
    C) The helots launched a violent revolt.

  5. Why did the Spartans fear the helots?
    D) The helots outnumbered the Spartans.

  6. What is a military state?
    B) A society organized for the purpose of waging war

  7. What was the effect of the ephors’ yearly declaration of war?
    A) Any Spartan could kill a helot without punishment.