"Imperialism was genuinely popular among Athenians who would expect to share in its profits, even if only indirectly and collectively, and not to have to bear its burdens"

This quote by J. M. Roberts suggests that imperialism was extensively accepted amongst the Athenians. This was since they expected to benefit from it, even if it was just in a cumulative and indirect method. They did not need to bear the costs of imperialism, which made it appealing to them. This was specifically real for the rich and powerful people of Athens, who had the ability to reap the most rewards from imperialism. The quote likewise indicates that the Athenians were willing to accept imperialism as long as they had the ability to gain from it. This recommends that the Athenians wanted to accept imperialism as long as it was helpful to them, even if it suggested that others had to bear the problem of it.