In the late 5th century BC, Syracuse found itself at war with Athens during the course of the Peloponnesian War. While Syracuse sought to control Katane, an Athenian expedition led by Alkibiades drove the pro-Syracusan faction from the city. After fierce fighting, the city fell to the Athenians. Alkibiades installed a puppet regime to run the city. The fall of Syracuse was a major stepping stone to Alkibiades' conquest of Athens.