31. Nabis'liberation of the enslaved helots was one of the most outstanding deeds in Spartan history. 32. :Classical Sparta had 7-8 helots for every Spartan citizen ( see Spartan hegemony ). 33. The helots made the Spartan system possible, but now the post off Pylos began attracting helot runaways. 34. The helots made the Spartan system possible, but now the post off Pylos began attracting helot runaways. 35. According to Herodotus ( IX, 28 29 ), helots were seven times as numerous as Spartans. 36. Penestae and helots did not rate as chattel slaves; one could not freely buy and sell them. 37. One of the guards fell on a Helot soldier and beat him with his rifle butt ." 38. As a result, the fielding of a respectable hoplite army without mercenaries or freed helots was difficult. 39. He therefore chose to dismiss all troops except the Thespians and Helots and save the glory for the Spartans. 40. Uprisings and attempts to improve the lot of the helots did occur, such as the Conspiracy of Cinadon.
