The coup de main by which they executed their project was as follows.
Some among the returned exiles held the office of Polemarch. It is the duty of these magistrates to shut the gates: they keep the keys in their custody until the gates are reopened and by day reside in the gate-houses. The Aetolians then lay in readiness with their scaling-ladders awaiting the moment for attack. The Polemarchs of the party which had been in exile, after murdering their colleagues at one of the gate-houses, opened the gate, upon which some of the Aetolians rushed in through it, while others, planting their ladders against the wall, took forcible possession of the fortifications by this means. All the inhabitants were seized with consternation at this and knew not what course to take in these difficult circumstances. For neither were their hands free to oppose those who were streaming in through the gate, owing to the attack on the walls, nor could they defend the walls properly owing to the forcing of the gate. For these reasons the Aetolians soon made themselves masters of the town, and thereupon, amid all their iniquities, performed one act of exemplary justice. For in the first place they killed and plundered the property of the traitors who had introduced them into the city. All the rest of the citizens were treated in the same way. Finally, they quartered themselves in the houses and thoroughly pillaged all the property, putting to the torture many of the Cynaetheans whom they suspected of having concealed money, plate, or other valuables.
After this cruel treatment of the Cynaetheans, they took their departure, leaving a garrison to guard the walls and advanced towards <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Lusi&groupId=702&placeId=1284">Lusi</a>.
On arriving at the temple of Artemis which lies between Cleitor and Cynaetha, and is regarded as inviolable by the Greeks, they threatened to lift the cattle of the goddess and plunder the other property about the temple.
But the people of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Lusi&groupId=702&placeId=1284">Lusi</a> very wisely induced them to refrain from their impious purpose and commit no serious outrage by giving them some of the sacred furniture.
On receiving this they at once left the place and encamped before Cleitor.
Walbank Commentary