Most of the Athenian troops were sent straight away to pursue the Persians.
But the conservative Spartans became worried by the revolutionary democratic spirit of the Athenian troops and sent Cimon and his army back home to Athens.
Sparta began to fear that the Athenian troops might make common cause with the rebels.
After some initial success, the Athenian troops became disorganised in the chaotic night operation and were thoroughly routed by Gylippus.
The city decided not to harbor the defeated Athenian troops, but instead sent heralds to the Lacedaemonians.
These actions saved the Athenian troops and their allies.
He is said to have organized athletic games and the Athenian troops escaped while the Epidaurans were distracted by the games.
They were relieved by Athenian troops who then garrisoned the bay.
The next day, however, a party of Athenian light troops attacked the Spartans while they were reconnoitering near Piraeus.
Typhoid fever killed a quarter of the Athenian troops, and a quarter of the population over four years.