In his histories, Herodotus describes how the Spartans sought to gain control of Arcadia in their quest for control of the Peloponnese. They consulted the Oracle at Delphi who said,
“Archady? Great is the thing you ask. I will not grant it.
In Archady are many men. Acorn eaters,
And they will keep you out. Yet, For I am not grunging,
I will give you Tegea to dance with its stamping feet
And her fair plain to measure out with the line.”