Athens reacts to the fate of the Sicilian expedition with shock and disbelief but refuses to give in. The winter following the Sicilian disaster, “the whole of Hellas” turns against Athens (539). The Spartans are eager to defeat Athens and assume leadership of Hellas. Sparta’s King Agis plans to build a naval fleet with allies’ contributions. He also incites a revolt at Lesbos. Athens redirects all available funds to rebuilding their navy.

A faction from Chios secretly asks Sparta to aid a potential revolt from Athens. Persian Tissaphernes supports the Chians’ request. He hopes to align with Sparta to further damage Athens, a longtime Persian enemy. Sparta elects to align with Chios, though most Chians are ignorant of the secret negotiations. Athens becomes suspicious and discovers Chios’ intent to revolt. A naval battle takes place near the Isthmus of Corinth. Athens’ victory discourages Sparta, but Alicibiades rallies them. Athenian and Peloponnesian fleets skirmish, and the Peloponnesians escape. Alcibiades arrives in Chios to encourage their revolt. In a panic, Athens draws on reserve funds to assemble a fleet to send to Chios. Alcibiades leads a Peloponnesian force to Miletus to encourage them to revolt. Additional cities, including Rhodes, also revolt.