Helots lived with their masters and could never be declared free. Helots were mistreated, humiliated and even slaughtered! Helots are different from the Slaves in Athens because they are owned by the state not by certain families. Also because Helots had families and communities of their own and weren't private property. Helots were conquered people forced to work for the state. Some times helots were peasants too and worked as farmers, guards and servants at home. Helots far out numbered the Spartan citizens in the society. All in all Helots are unfree peasants and are expected to be for their whole life until death.