and it would be an argument for doing that.

而神庙的修建也构成了资金供应的理由
As for the claim that they needed to preserve the freedom of the seas,

至于雅典需维持海上自由的主张
that would give legitimacy to the existence of the great fleet of the league,

会使联盟资助的
which was paid for by league money.

舰队的存在合法化
In other words,

换言之
it would give legitimacy to the Athenian Empire.

就是使得雅典帝国合法化
No doubt he thought

无庸质疑伯里克利认为
that was necessary

帝国合法化是必要的
because having made--that's why I like the idea

因为当完成了--这就是为什么我赞同
that he did make a formal peace with the Persians,

他与波斯人建立正式和平的言论
but in either case, with it being obvious

但无论从哪个方面来讲显而易见
that there would be no more attacks on the Persians

对波斯的进攻都将到此为止