Pytheas was the brother of Acastides the stadium-runner and the son of Cleomnastus. He had led an evil life and was thought to have been debauched in his early years.
He was also reckless and grasping in public life, and for the reasons I have stated above had been indebted for his advancement to Eumenes and Philetaerus.
Polybius the Achaean, though he was then with Scipio in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Africa&groupId=300&placeId=294">Africa</a>, nevertheless, as he could not remain in ignorance of the disaster of his own country, tells us there was only one battle in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Achaea&groupId=272&placeId=533">Achaea</a>, Critolaus being in command. But he adds that Diaeus, who was bringing up reinforcements from Arcadia, was defeated by the same praetor Metellus.
Walbank Commentary