Sparta has taken no steps to prevent…

Sparta has taken no steps to prevent Athens rise to dominance over the Delian League.

Her interests and those of Athens do not directly clash, for Athens includes in her empire only the islands of the Aegean and the towns on its north and east coasts, which lie outside the Spartan political horizon: with the Peloponnese Athens does not meddle.

Moreover, Sparta's attention is at this time fully occupied by troubles nearer home—such as the plots of Pausanias not only with the Persian king but with the Laconian helots.

Tegea between 473 and 471, by which time Sparta’s authority in the Peloponnesus has eroded, forsakes Sparta for an alliance with Argos.

Following a Spartan attack on Tegea in an inconclusive battle, all the Arcadian cities, except Mantinea, ally against Sparta.