CRYPTEIA, secret police in ancient Sparta (Gr. KpvnrrEiv hide) founded, according to Aristotle, by Lycurgus. The institu tion was under the supervision of the ephors (q.v.), who, on entering office, annually proclaimed war against the helots (see HELOTS), and thus absolved from the guilt of murder any Spar tan who should glay a helot. It was instituted as a precaution against the ever-present danger of a helot revolt, and young Spartans were sent out by the ephors to keep watch on the helots and assassinate any who might appear dangerous. After the revolt of 464 B.C. (see CIMON), there was a secret massacre of 2,000 helots who, on the invitation of the ephors, claimed to have rendered distinguished service (Thus. iv. 8o).
See A. H. J. Greenidge, Handbook of Gk. Const. Hist. (1896) ; G. Gilbert, Gk. Const. Antiq. (Eng. trans., 1895) ; L. Whibley, Companion to Greek Studies (1923).