The
perioeci, or
perioikoi, were the members of an
autonomous group of free but non-citizen inhabitants of
Sparta. Concentrated in the costal and highland areas of
Laconia and
Messenia, the name περίοικοι derives from περί,
peri, "around", and ,
oikos, "dwelling, house". They were the only people allowed to travel to other cities, which the Spartans were not, unless given permission.