I have been into a deep search about Sparta recently, inspired by the curiosity of such a legendary city whose citizens were forbidden to keep historical records by law.

I read much from the basic sources to articles and internet videos which many don't match to one another.

But now I got to the point of Helot and Homoioi socio relations, I find out that despite the many mentions of abuses or ritualistic humiliation they actually lived fairly well and said abuses apparently started later after the 464BC Messenian helot rebellion which was sparked by a great earthquake that devasted Sparta, after this, the Krypteia was introduced.

It is impressive to learn the privileges that the Helots actually had, they were permitted to marry, raise their own families, own private property, retain 50% of their farming labors, have religious freedom, and buy out or earn by military service their emancipation.

In contrast to populations conquered by other Greek cities, the male Helot population was not exterminated, and women and children were not treated as chattel. Instead, Helots were given a subordinate position within Spartan society more comparable to the serfs of medieval Europe. Although Helots did not have voting rights, they otherwise enjoyed a relatively privileged position, in comparison to slave populations in other Greek city-states.

With such freedoms the helots created an identity of their own, the Messenians in special knew they were once a free people and it's of no wonder they were a constant struggle that the Spartans needed to deal with.

There is also the Methokes which were poor Spartiate children or of half helot ancestry which were basically Perioikoi with Spartiate privileges, and in special the Syntrophos a helot child that a Spartiate formally adopt and paid his way; if he did exceptionally well in training, he might be sponsored to become a Spartiate.

Another example in special is the fact that in 370 BC, when the Thebans invaded Lakonia and it looked like Sparta itself would fall, six thousand helots volunteered to defend the city and Pausanias who was turned on by helots when he promised them freedom and citizenship if they would join him in insurrection, and would help him to carry out his plans to the end.

With these things stated what more can be told about their relations and lives? seems like it's much more complex than I would like to admit. I would like if u/Iphikrates could give me light into it, but others serves too.