Perioeci

Perioeci (also Perioikoi, from the Greek " peri " (around, around) and " oikos " ( house), Umwohner ) were members of ancient Greek city-states, especially in the State of the Lacedaemonians (Sparta ).

The Perioeci inhabited cities in the mountain and coastal regions of Laconia ( Skiritis, Belminatis, Thyrea ), on the island of Kythera and at the southern tip of Messenia. This had once been conquered by the Spartans, but retained autonomy in the management of their cities. Between Spartans and Perioeci was no marriage community.

Foreign policy decisions, especially about war and peace, were badly hit by the Spartans. The Perioeci were not involved, but Sparta had to perform military service.

The Perioeci had their own social structure, with an educated elite and they also owned slaves. They were regarded as satisfied with their status and nationals in their territories it rarely came to unrest and riots.

Economic and social situation

The Perioeci were together with the Spartans in the heavily armed citizen army. Despite the obligation for military service, they had not the actual number, but only provide a portion of available men. Proven perioikische hoplites were given the title of kalos kagathos. This also included to meet certain preconditions to be included at all in the contingent of heavily armed men, the honor and manly prowess, and the economic strength to provide their own equipment and supplies in the campaign. Perioikoi could also mean taking command posts in the army. The Perioikoi the northern landscape Skiritis formed a separate unit of the army with specific tasks in the reconnaissance and security.

The position of the Perioeci in the Lacedaemonian army must not be underestimated. Without them, Sparta had not achieved such great success, as the number of the Spartans fell steadily. Furthermore, they formed together with the Spartans a unit against the unfree helots. Since the Perioeci lived around Sparta around, they also protected the city from attack and influences from outside.

Much of the Perioeci were farmers, but they were also engaged in fishing, shipbuilding, metal production, craft and trade. Within the Lacedaemonian State had a monopoly on trade and commerce, as the Spartans and Helots were limited to agriculture. All the goods were received from abroad through perioikisches area before they reached Sparta. Your most important port cities were GYTHEION and Kythera.

Origin

On the Origin of Perioeci the assumption was made that the Perioeci were members of the 1000 BC pre-Doric displaced population, who fought so successfully that they escaped through a contract of slavery. But contradicted by the fact that the Perioeci spoke the Doric dialect.

Another theory was that the Dorians were Perioeci but that do not have the same rights as the Spartans, because they did not live directly in Sparta and were not always so dispensable for political tasks and military operations. Contradicted by the fact that the owners could be Messenian landless full citizens. Just as well be laconic Landlosbesitzer had far can set up their land lot in Sparta like these.