The expedition nearly comsumed all of Athens' resources, and proved to be the most expensive trip to Sicily, or anywhere, ever in Athenian history. Although the war in Syracuse was over, the expedition restarted the war with Sparta. Now Athens was just holding on and hoping for a settlement since they had no means of defeating the enemy. But Athens did manage to dip into the allied resources and was able to raise another fleet to continue the war.

Over the next four years, Athens' political system shifted back and forth between the peace-loving oligarchs and the war-hungry democrats. Although we are not using politics as a place of blame for Athens' failure in Syracuse, the shifting of ideals was what kept Athens in the war with Sparta and caused its inevitable fall.