<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> <P> At the start of the war, the Athenians had prudently put aside some money and 100 ships that were to be used only as a last resort . </P> <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>

Who were the allies of athens and sparta