τοῖσι αὐτοῖσι. The Ionians had paid tribute to the Lydians (27. 1), and had had their walls dismantled (v. i. τείχεα π.); this is more probable than Stein's view that previously the citadels only had been fortified; the fact that a citadel could still resist when a town was taken (c. 15 bis) does not prove the town itself was unfortified (cf. 163. 4 n.). The Ionians now have to serve in war also (171. 1).
αὐλητήν. The fable is part of a collection bearing Aesop's name. For it cf. St. Matt. xi. 17. For Cyrus' invitation to rebel cf. 76. 3.
