Perioeci

[ per-ee-ee-sahy ]

plural noun

, singular Per·i·oe·cus [per-ee-, ee, -k, uh, s].

1. the inhabitants of ancient Laconia, constituting a dependent people of Sparta, who governed themselves and had a monopoly on trade and manufacture. Compare Helot ( def 1 ), Spartiate.

Other Words From

• peri·oecic peri·oecid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Perioeci¹

1585–95; < Medieval Latin perioecī < Greek períoikoi countryside dwellers, noun use of plural of períoikos neighboring, equivalent to peri- peri- + -oikos, adj. derivative of oîkos house

Example Sentences

They had much the same position as the perioeci in ancient Sparta.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole number taken, whether true-born Spartans or Perioeci, amounted to more than one hundred.

From Project Gutenberg

The provinces under Spartan rule were divided into thirty thousand parts, a part for each Perioeci family.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides the Helots, the Spartans exercised an authority over the intermediate class called the Perioeci.

From Project Gutenberg