The Kleros: The Importance Of Helots In Ancient Greece

The kleros was an allotment of public land that the state granted to each Spartiate and it held great importance to the Spartan society. According to Plutarch, as Spartans were full-time professional soldiers, the state was also obliged to support them with helots to farm the land and take care of the livestock. The produce from the kleros was vital as it was the basis of the Spartan economy. It provided a surplus so that the state had income to pay for weaponry or equipment produced by the perioikoi, and goods to trade outside of Sparta by boat. Moreover, the produce from these estates was further crucial for daily life; supporting Spartan citizens and their families, the helots as well as the Spartiate’s continuing contribution to the syssition