The Athenian catastrophe at Syracuse resulted in more openly resistance from with Athens allied cities. For these groups it was very good news that Persia started a campaign together with Sparta to end the supremacy of Athens at sea. Persia became involved in the war as Athens had yet again attempted to interfere in the Persian empire, just like during the Ionic revolt. Sparta started the construction of a Peloponessian fleet which was financed for a big part by Persia, while Sparta would deliver mercenaries to the Persian empire.

The co-operation between both parties was not always very good. Persia promised money to Sparta, but in return the Persian authority of the Greek colonies in Asia Minor had to be fully returned without any interference from Spartan side. We know that this was not in line with the Spartan ambition to liberate all Greek cities. Persia on its turn often promised more than it gave to Sparta, especially in the beginning. This way Persia hoped to stretch out the war some more, so that it would not matter if Sparta or Athens would win the war as both parties would have used al its resources. Then the political vacuum in Hellas could be easily filled by Persia. A peculiar detail is who thought up this plan. It was of the hand of Alcibiades who had fled from Sparta to Sardes as he had slept with the wife of one of the two kings of Sparta.

Still, the war dragged on for ten more years. This could happen because of the above mentioned tactic of the Persian satraps, the lack of experience of the Spartans in naval warfare, and the motivation of the Athenians would simply refused to surrender. Another reason was that Athens also hoped to get finances from Persia. Alcibiades claimed that he could arrange this on the conditions that the Athenian democracy was ended, and as he would be fully rehabilitated in Athens, where he was sentenced to death in 415. Alcibiades negotiated with Athens secretly, so it is not unlikely that he attempted to dismantle the Athenian democracy in order to become tyrant of the city.

Oligarchic revolution in Athens.

In 411 an oligarchic revolution took place indeed. The oligarchs claimed that the essence of the true democracy was not used in the current democracy, because of the increasing political influence of the lower classes thanks to the importance of the fleet. A return to the most true democracy was needed. The citizenship had to be reduced to 5000 people, and all payments for judicial and political functions would be cancelled. The people's council, which was intimidated by the murder on several democratic leaders, was not against a return to the hoplites democracy as it had an agricultural character. Five prohedroi, or chairmen, were chosen who had to choose 100 citizens, who on their turn had to pick 4 other citizens. This way a council of 400 was formed. The people's council of 5000 would come together when the council found this necessary. It never happened.

The navy, stationed at Samos, refused to recognise this oligarchic government and demoted several officers who were believed to have oligarchic sympathies. Alcibiades was asked to help out, and he was chosen as strategos as he reacted in a positive way. He managed to persuade them not to sail up to the Piraeus as their original plan had been. This way he not only prevented a civil war in Athens, but he also maintained the unity against the Persian-Spartan coalition.

At the same time a group of Athenians made a start with creating a list of 5000 citizens, which could be expanded to cover 9000 people. In 410 Alcibiades was also rehabilitated. A few months later full democracy was installed again. The oligarchic takeover had shown how dependent the safety of a democracy was of a healthy economical and social situation. It also proved how important the role of the navy was as a ward of democracy.

The balance tips to one side.

The war was still raging on. In 410 Athens scored a major victory during the naval battle of Cyzicus. The result of this battle actually caused the Spartans to sue for peace, but the Athenians refused again. Only when Persian money began to pour in without stint, after 407, turned the chances in the war. During the last years the atmosphere in Athens was one of suspicion and desperation, but also of determination. However, the enormous efforts that Athens had to do, without the help of Persian money, were not good for the mood and the democracy. Alcibiades was again banished in 406, as he was blamed, without reason, for a lost naval battle. In 404 he was murdered by the satrap of Frygia.