. Due to these indications Thucydides consequently believed that when Naxos revolted she was forced into allegiance.
             In order for the League to become an effective military affiliation, a strong fleet had to be obtained. As well as this an aggressive force should be acquired. They concluded that some states would provide money and others ships. They recommended that a regular system of subscriptions had to be devised. This task was entrusted to Aristides. Plutarch believed that the Athenians "Appointed him to survey the various territories and their revenues, and then to fix their contributions according to each member's wealth and ability to pay." The effect of Aristides assessment was to establish which states could afford to provide ships and which could not. Nevertheless it was costly to maintain these ships and casualties occurred to both ships and men, thus many accepted assessment in money instead. Due to these reasons Thucydides understood that "For this position it was the allies themselves who were to blame [for Athens growing to an Imperial power]."
             Although Athens led the League from the beginning, Delos was the site of the treasury and meetings. It was selected not only due to historical integrity, but also due to geographical advantages, since it was situated midway between Athens and the coast of Asia Minor. It also had an excellent harbour and was politically insignificant. As Thucydides says, "The treasury of the League was at Delos, and representative meetings were held in the temple there."
             It is vague whether each member attained an equal voting power, but it is plausible that Athens, as leader and the most influential state could control the vote by her patronage or intimidation of lesser states. The Synod determined the League policy and strategy and Athenian officials accepted them.
             During this time a powerfully brilliant political leader, Cimon, led Athens. According ...