The Lacedaemonians, though fully aware of it, opposed it only for a little while, but remained inactive during most of the period, being of old slow to go to war except under the pressure of necessity, and in the present instance being hampered by wars at home; until the growth of the Athenian power could be no longer ignored, and their own confederacy became the object of its encroachments.
Lazedemondarrek, horretaz konturatzen ziren arren, ez zuten galarazten neurri txikian baino, eta lasai mantentzen ziren ia denbora guztian, aldez ordura arte ez zirelako gerrarako bizi agertzen, horretara behartuta aurkitu ezean, aldez barruko liskarrek eragozten zietelako, harik eta atenastarren boterea argi nabarmentzen hasi eta euren aliatuengana hedatu zen arte.