Helos (Elis)

Helos, also spelled Helus, was an ancient city and port in Laconia, Greece, located near the mouth of the Eurotas River, approximately 30 kilometers south of Sparta. It held significant historical importance, primarily due to its connection with the origin of the term "helot."

Historically, Helos was an Achaean settlement. According to tradition, the Spartans conquered the city sometime after the First Messenian War. Its inhabitants, the Helotae (singular: Helotes), were enslaved by the Spartans. These Helotes became a class of state-owned serfs tied to the land, forced to work for their Spartan overlords.

The subjugation of Helos and its people is believed by many scholars to be the root of the term "helot," although alternative etymologies exist. The word "helot" eventually came to describe the entire class of serf laborers in Laconia and Messenia controlled by Sparta. Their labor provided the economic foundation for Spartan society, freeing Spartan citizens to focus on military training and civic duties.

The site of ancient Helos is located near the modern village of Agios Stephanos in the Evrotas municipality. Archaeological excavations have revealed remnants of the ancient city, offering insights into its history and culture.