Why Do Athens Have Helots

Controversy between Athens and Sparta has led many to fall victim to falsified information and assumptions, resulting in utmost bias. When individuals visit Sparta, they soon realize these “cold-blooded barbarians” have reasoning behind their actions. Most people judge Sparta for our unfair treatment of helots, even though we treat them equally and better than the Athenian slaves. Athenian propaganda displays us as horrible demons for having helots incorporated into our society. Helots, or serfs, frequently live typical lives, they have more rights than most citizens of foreign countries and, arguably, more than the average Athenian. Meanwhile, the Athenian slaves have no rights or opportunities. In addition, there is a very harsh, discriminatory class structure.
Empires would be very different without the influence of our Spartan society.
Athens and Sparta are both powerful city-states, although Athens abused their power with the use of slavery. Slavery is widely believed to be practiced in Sparta, but this is completely false. Sparta only implemented helots, who are treated more fairly than most people in the world, especially Athenian non-citizens. People become helots if they attempt to jeopardize the Sparta’s well-being. In order to protect the lives of others, the Krypteia; a group of men assigned to find, and kill helots suspected of an attack, was created. The slaves in Athens must unwillingly work 10 hours every day in cramped tunnels 300 feet below the surface. They are mercilessly whipped every time they stop, even though it’s highly difficult to breathe in the conditions they’re placed in. Spartans intentionally make an attempt to discourage social and economic distinctions by promoting all Spartans to be equal in status. Both equality and the austere community allow it to be