... also reasonable to question that statement based on the length of the war, and the opposition that was encountered. Woodruff points out in his introduction that Athens by supporting the democrats in these cities had in fact loyalty from at least part of the citizens, as well that Spartans when reaching some of those cities where received with little enthusiasm. We can see this in the case of Acanthus when Sparta has to threaten with the destruction of the city and the crops for the city to agree to liberation. Woodruff also points out that Athens kept the Aegean see free of pirates, and the Persians at bay. So it can be argued that by most it was not considered oppressive or at least it was better than the alternative. And the payment to Athens was perceived as we today perceive the federal tax, as bothersome, expensive but mostly necessary. ...

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