To resume — Flamininus, having prepared these stakes to be used when required, advanced slowly with his whole force and established his camp at a distance of about fifty stades from Pherae.
Next day at daybreak he sent out scouts to see if by observation and inquiry they could find any means of discovering where the enemy were and what they were about.
Philip, at nearly the same time, on hearing that the Romans were encamped near Thebes, left <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Larisa&groupId=669&placeId=1225">Larisa</a> with his entire army and advanced marching in the direction of Pherae.
When at a distance of thirty stades from that town he encamped there while it was still early and ordered all his men to occupy themselves with the care of their persons.
Next day at early dawn he aroused his men, and sending on in advance those accustomed to precede the main body with orders to cross the ridge above Pherae, he himself, when day began to break, moved the rest of his forces out of the camp.
The advanced sections of both armies very nearly came into contact at the pass over the hills;
for when in the early dusk they caught sight of each other, they halted when already quite close and sent at once to inform their respective commanders of the fact and inquire what they should do.
It was decided to remain for that day in their actual camp and to recall the advanced forces.
Next day both commanders sent out some horse and light-armed infantry — about three hundred of either arm to reconnoitre. Among these Flamininus included two squadrons of Aetolians owing to their acquaintance with the country.
The respective forces met on the near side of Pherae, in the direction of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Larisa&groupId=669&placeId=1225">Larisa</a>, and a desperate struggle ensued.
As the force under Eupolemus the Aetolian fought with great vigour and called up the Italians to take part in the action, the Macedonians found themselves hard pressed.
For the present, after prolonged skirmishing, both forces separated and retired to their camps.
Walbank Commentary