Spartan free non-citizens
The Perioeci or Perioikoi (, ) were the second-tier citizens of the "polis" of Sparta until c. 200 BC. They lived in several dozen cities within Spartan territories (mostly Laconia and Messenia), which were dependent on Sparta. The "perioeci" only had political rights in their own city, while the course of the Spartan state exclusively belonged to Spartan citizens, or Spartiates.
The name "perioeci" roughly means "those dwelling around/nearby", deriving from , "peri", "around", and , "oîkos", "dwelling, house". "Perioeci" and Spartans were collectively called the "Lakedaimonians".
They had a central role in the Spartan economy, controlling commerce and business, as well as being responsible for crafts and manufacturing, including producing the weapons and armour of the Spartan army, as the higher-ranking Spartan citizens considered all commercial and money-making activities to be unworthy of them. The "perioeci" were also the only people allowed to freely travel outside the Spartan state's borders, which the Spartans were not, unless given permission. Like the Spartiates, the perioeci owned helots and fought in the army.
Other major cities in the Peloponnese likewise controlled perioecic cities, such as Elis and Argos.
Origin.
The polis or city-state of Sparta was formed during the Greek Dark Ages, controlling the plains around the Eurotas river. Those communities already existing in the area which could not be assimilated into the Spartan state, or subjugated as helots, became the "perioeci". Whether they were Dorians like the Spartans, or descended from pre-Dorian populations in the Peloponnese, is unknown.
Status.
The "perioeci" were free, unlike the helots, but were not full Spartan citizens. They lived in their own cities in the "perioecis", which were described by ancient authors as "poleis". These cities were under the control of the Spartan state, but were self-governing on domestic issues.
The "perioeci" were obliged to follow Spartan foreign policy, and supplied men to fight in the Spartan army. Like the "hómoioi" (, full Spartan citizens), the "perioeci" fought in the army as hoplites, probably in the same units. The "perioeci" had the right to own land, which would have been necessary to support those in the army.
In the Classical period, the Spartans were not permitted to engage in any economically productive activities, and so the "perioeci" were responsible for Spartan manufacturing, including producing weapons and armour, as well as conducting the trade that the Spartan state needed. For instance, the large number of masks and figurines dedicated at the site of the Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia were probably produced by "perioecic" craftsmen.
Like the Spartans, the "perioeci" owned helots, which means that the main division in the Spartan society was between Spartan citizens and "perioeci" on one side, and helots on the other. For instance, in 413, during the Peloponnesian War, Athens made a raid on the territory of the "perioecic" city of Epidaurus Limera with the goal of triggering a helot revolt against the "perioeci". Some helots could nevertheless be promoted to "perioecic" status by becoming neodamodes after military service, but Spartan citizens could not be demoted to "perioecic" status; there were specific underclasses for former Spartan citizens, such as "hypomeiones", "tresantes", etc.
In Aristotle's "Politics".
The "perioeci" are mentioned in Aristotle's "Politics" but in a much more general sense than merely as those within the Spartan state. In describing the ideal state, Aristotle believed that the actual citizens and members of the state should be the rulers, the warriors (those who are allowed to bear arms), the statesmen, and the priests but that those who perform trades, such as mechanics, craftsmen, husbandmen, and farmers should be either slaves or "perioeci", because such professions are ignoble and do not produce virtue, according to him. In that sense, the "perioeci" are meant to be common to all ideal Hellenic states, as a sort of middle class whose ranks the slaves may aspire to join, below the citizens but above slavery. They are free men, but they do not own property and are not allowed to vote, hold office, or influence the state or the laws by any other means. When Aristotle mentions them, he sometimes refers to them as "barbarian" and implies that such non-citizen free men would be non-Hellenic foreigners.
List of "perioecic" cities.
Graham Shipley has identified at least 33 "perioecic" cities, 23 in Laconia and 10 in Messenia, with various levels of certainty. He notes that many other identified settlements in Laconia and Messenia were probably "perioecic", but it is impossible to prove their status with the current state of the evidence.
Named Perioeci.
Individual members of the perioeci are referred to directly by primary sources such as Thucydides, Xenophon, and Diodorus Siculus
These named individuals include:
References.
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