In 420 BC during the Peloponnesian war, Mantinea joined and anti-Spartan alliance of Athens, Argos and Elis.
The battle of Mantinea brought something like peace and conclusion to the forty year period of confusion following the fall of the world order of 405 BC.
Thebes stood in the ascendant, Sparta on the decline and Athens in a useful and international flexible position.
Mantinea troops fought on the Spartan side and shared in the Spartan defeat at the second Battle of Mantinea, where Theban commander Epaminondas was killed in his hour of victory.
In the end superior Spartan soldiering won the day as the Spartan right wheeled around and rolled out the enemy, who retreated under pressure.
Battle of Mantinea in 362 BC