Helotomy

/hɛˈlɒtəmi/ noun

Definition

The practice of treating people as helots or slaves; a system of serfdom or forced labor.

Etymology

From helot plus -tomy or -tomy (Greek -tomia, meaning cutting or division). The term refers to a division or separation of people into enslaved classes rather than literal cutting.

Kelly Says

This rare word describes the entire social structure of Spartan oppression—helotomy wasn't just slavery but a whole political and economic system designed to free up Spartan citizens for war.

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