[1] In 353/2 BC, Sparta endeavored to reestablish its preeminence in the Peloponnese and to undo Epaminondas' achievements.
In For the Megalopolitans, Demosthenes argues for the Athenians to give the Megalopolis the support it requested against Spartan aggression.
[2] He argues that it is in the Athenian interest to prevent Sparta from conquering Megalopolis, as this would bring them closer to regaining control over the Peloponnese.
Demosthenes, on the other hand, sought for the restoration of Athens' glory and, for this purpose, he believed that his city should participate in military conflicts around Greece, recreating strong alliances and reinstating itself as an hegemony.
[4] Sparta went on to attack Megalopolis, which was supported by its allies including other Peloponnesian states as well as Thebes.