There are five classes in the Spartan social class; the middle three classes are also part of the social economy. On the top of the social ladder were the kings, also known as the rulers. Together, two kings ruled the government, and served as high priests and leaders in the war. They both came from two different royal families, but being born into a distinguished family didn't give special privileges. The position of being king was passed through families.
The middle c lass included the Spartiates, who were Spartan citizens who were the descendants of the 9th century BC. Their economy didn't depend on chattel slaves, as the other Greek city-states did. They based it on the non-Doric population of Laconia. They Perioikoi were residents of the pre-Doric towns, and also conquered inhabitants that Spartans had managed to come to a unique agreement with. They had a free independent status, and had their own laws and traditions. They were able to pursue and profession or trade and they had their own local officials and public figures. Perioikoi had a monopoly on all their business and were officially property of the Lacedaemenian government, and they were subject to harsher laws. Helots were required to give 50% of their produce to the Spartan residents of the states. They couldn't be bought and sold by their "masters." Also, they could marry whomever (as long as it is within the same social class), and whenever they want and could legally have children. They could also accumulate wealth and spend it as they pleased.
The lowest class was the slaves. They had no rights, no power, and no status. In order to have become a slave, you were either captured in war and sold, or you were born into it. Many families owned slaves, and were allowed to beat and kill their slaves, but it was only to their own expense. Free slaves couldn't become free citizens, but they had the right to live freely in the city- state.
