Final answer:
Spartans were primarily occupied with controlling the helot population within their borders rather than engaging in activities outside the long walls, except during strategic military campaigns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Spartans did not typically operate outside of the long walls for extended periods, as they were focused on suppressing the helots to prevent an uprising. However, during the Peloponnesian War, the Spartans invaded Athenian territory and attacked settlements, albeit hesitantly due to their need to maintain their military hierarchy within their own borders. To manage the helot population, Spartans, through the Krypteia, intimidated the helots to secure domestic control, rather than engaging in distant wars.
This strategic move was part of the broader efforts to isolate and weaken Athens, demonstrating the importance of controlling access to resources and trade routes during ancient Greek conflicts.