<P> These ships were then released, and served as the core of the Athenians' fleet throughout the rest of the war . An oligarchical revolution occurred in Athens, in which a group of 400 seized power . A peace with Sparta might have been possible, but the Athenian fleet, now based on the island of Samos, refused to accept the change . In 411 BC this fleet engaged the Spartans at the Battle of Syme . The fleet appointed Alcibiades their leader, and continued the war in Athens's name . Their opposition led to the reinstitution of a democratic government in Athens within two years . </P> <P> Alcibiades, while condemned as a traitor, still carried weight in Athens . He prevented the Athenian fleet from attacking Athens; instead, he helped restore democracy by more subtle pressure . He also persuaded the Athenian fleet to attack the Spartans at the battle of Cyzicus in 410 . In the battle, the Athenians obliterated the Spartan fleet, and succeeded in re-establishing the financial basis of the Athenian Empire . </P> <P> Between 410 and 406, Athens won a continuous string of victories, and eventually recovered large portions of its empire . All of this was due, in no small part, to Alcibiades . </P> <P> Faction triumphed in Athens following a minor Spartan victory by their skillful general Lysander at the naval battle of Notium in 406 BC . Alcibiades was not re-elected general by the Athenians and he exiled himself from the city . He would never again lead Athenians in battle . Athens was then victorious at the naval battle of Arginusae . The Spartan fleet under Callicratidas lost 70 ships and the Athenians lost 25 ships . But, due to bad weather, the Athenians were unable to rescue their stranded crews or to finish off the Spartan fleet . Despite their victory, these failures caused outrage in Athens and led to a controversial trial . The trial resulted in the execution of six of Athens's top naval commanders . Athens's naval supremacy would now be challenged without several of its most able military leaders and a demoralized navy . </P>

Who won the war of athens and sparta