<P> The Corinthians, the Spartans, and others in the Peloponnesian League sent more reinforcements to Syracuse, in the hopes of driving off the Athenians; but instead of withdrawing, the Athenians sent another hundred ships and another 5,000 troops to Sicily . Under Gylippus, the Syracusans and their allies were able to decisively defeat the Athenians on land; and Gylippus encouraged the Syracusans to build a navy, which was able to defeat the Athenian fleet when they attempted to withdraw . The Athenian army, attempting to withdraw overland to other, more friendly Sicilian cities, was divided and defeated; the entire Athenian fleet was destroyed, and virtually the entire Athenian army was sold off into slavery . </P> <P> Following the defeat of the Athenians in Sicily, it was widely believed that the end of the Athenian Empire was at hand . Her treasury was nearly empty, her docks were depleted, and the flower of her youth was dead or imprisoned in a foreign land . They overestimated the strength of their own empire and the beginning of the end was indeed imminent . </P> <P> Following the destruction of the Sicilian Expedition, Lacedaemon encouraged the revolt of Athens's tributary allies, and indeed, much of Ionia rose in revolt against Athens . The Syracusans sent their fleet to the Peloponnesians, and the Persians decided to support the Spartans with money and ships . Revolt and faction threatened in Athens itself . </P> <P> The Athenians managed to survive for several reasons . First, their foes were lacking in initiative . Corinth and Syracuse were slow to bring their fleets into the Aegean, and Sparta's other allies were also slow to furnish troops or ships . The Ionian states that rebelled expected protection, and many rejoined the Athenian side . The Persians were slow to furnish promised funds and ships, frustrating battle plans . </P>

Who did the spartans ask for help during the second war