Penestae
(
Πενέσται). In Thessaly the descendants of the older
population subdued by the Thessalians and occupying a position analogous to that of the Helots
of Laconia. They managed the property of the owners as serfs bound to the soil, paying a
moderate tax, and being also liable to be called out for military service; but their lords
could not remove them from the land nor put them to death. See Grote,
Hist. of
Greece, ii. pp. 373-376.