During the Peloponnesian War, Ephesus was first allied to Athens but in a later phase, called the Decelean War, or the Ionian War, sided with Sparta, which also had received the support of the Persians. As a result, rule over the cities of Ionia was ceded again to Persia.
duRIng the peloponnesIan war, ephEsus was fIrSt allIEd To athEns but iN a lATer pHaSe, CallEd tHe deCelEAn war, or the iONIan war, sIdED WiTH SpArTa, whiCH ALsO had received tHe supPoRt Of the PerSians. as a resulT, rUle Over The CIties oF ioNiA WAs cEdED AgAin TO persiA.