Perioeci

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/perioeci

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the etymological meaning?Derived from Greek 'peri' (around) and 'oikos' (dwelling), meaning 'those dwelling around'
2. What is the geographical distribution?Inhabited numerous towns and villages across Spartan territories, primarily Laconia and Messenia
3. Who were the Perioeci in ancient Sparta?They were people who lived around Sparta but were not full citizens. They lived in towns in Laconia and Messenia and had their own local governments.
4. What jobs did the Perioeci do for Sparta?They made weapons, armor, tools, and pottery, ran shops, and ran businesses. They also did trade and helped bring goods to Sparta.

Spartiate: The elite, full citizen class of Sparta, primarily focused on military service and governance.
Helot: A state-owned serf class in Sparta, bound to the land and performing agricultural labor.
Polis: An independent city-state in ancient Greece, characterized by its own political and social structure.
Lakedaimonian: The collective term for all inhabitants of the Spartan state, including both Spartiates and Perioeci.