Note 166 — Chapter VIII · SERFS OF SPARTA, CRETE, THESSALY, ETC.

Over the Helots, not the state only but even private individuals, and much more the kings, possessed the power of life and death. Thus a Helot behaving offensively to Charillos, he said: “I would kill thee were I not in a passion.” Plut. Apophthegm. Lacon. Charill. 3.