When Machatas heard what had happened in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a>, he returned there and urged the ephors and kings to make war on the Achaeans,
for that he said was the only means of putting a stop to the factious policy of those Lacedaemonians who wished by any and every means to break the alliance with the Aetolians and of those in Aetolia who were working for the same end.
Upon the ephors and kings consenting, Machatas returned, having accomplished his purpose owing to the blindness of those who supported him. Lycurgus now, taking the regular army and some others of the citizens, invaded <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Argolis&groupId=360&placeId=687">Argolis</a>, the <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Argives&groupId=361&placeId=688">Argives</a> being quite off their guard owing to the prevailing tranquillity.
By a sudden assault he seized <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Polichna&groupId=909&placeId=1633">Polichna</a>, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Prasiae&groupId=912&placeId=1638">Prasiae</a>, <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Leucae&groupId=680&placeId=1245">Leucae</a>, and Cyphanta, but was repulsed in his attack on Glympes and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Zarax&groupId=1062&placeId=1867">Zarax</a>.
After these achievements of the king the Lacedaemonians proclaimed the right of reprisal against the Achaeans. Machatas also persuaded the Eleans by the same arguments that he had used at <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a> to make war on the Achaeans.
Owing to their cause having thus prospered beyond their expectations the Aetolians entered on the war with confidence. But it was quite the opposite with the Achaeans; for Philip, in whom they chiefly trusted, had not completed his preparations, the Epirots were putting off the commencement of hostilities, the Messenians were entirely inactive, and the Aetolians, supported by the mistaken policy of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Elis&groupId=560&placeId=1048">Elis</a> and <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Sparta&groupId=660&placeId=1208">Sparta</a>, had enclosed them in a circle of war.
Walbank Commentary