The Spartan War on Attica

Sparta and her allies gathered at the isthmus of Corinth to prepare for a joint attack on Athens by land and sea. The Athenians, who still had their 40 ships blockading Lesbos, sent another 100 triremes into the waters of the Sironic Gulf as a show of force. This bold display of confidence strained Athena's finances even further; they were also forced to draw upon men of the Zugatai class, who normally fought as hoplights only. In 428 BC Sparta was able to gain control of the land around some of the strongest mightleine points in Attica before winter set in.