... do so'1. To fund the defence of the league, Athens assessed which states should contribute ships, weapons or money annually. The original fixed sum of the tribute per state was 460 talents. To ensure that each contributing state remained loyal to her allies, each state made an oath swearing that they would never leave the league. The oath comprised of throwing lead weights into the sea, and declaring that you would only leave the league when the lead weights floated. Obviously this declared that you would never leave the league under any circumstances. Controversially, in 465 BC, a state by the name of Naxos revolted against Athens and decided to leave the league. The most probable reasons for leaving the league were that Naxos could not afford the annual tribute, or could not donate ships to the league. Athens declared war on Naxos and forced her back into allegiance. This ...

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