If we accept Aristotle’s opinion on the origin of the Spartan system, we merely transfer our dilemma. That is we must now ask ourselves why the Cretans adopted such a system before we tackle the reasons why the Spartans did. It appears that the Dorian conquerors of the Minoans adopted the “Helot” practice to permanently prevent the Minoans from rising against them. This makes some sense given that Crete is an island that was completely inhabited by Minoans. Perhaps the Dorian conquerors had superior military skill but lacked equal numbers, or possibly the tidal wave produced at Santorini decimated the Minoan people and left them unable to resist an invader. In any case, if the Dorians had a smaller population, they would have lived in fear of an uprising that would leave them no escape.
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