For he had learnt that a force of three thousand Aetolian foot, four hundred horse, and five hundred Cretans was collected in Stratus.
When no one came out against him he again set his van in motion and began to march for <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Limnaea&groupId=691&placeId=1263">Limnaea</a> and his fleet.
When the rearguard had passed the town, a few Aetolian horsemen to begin with sallied out to harass the hindmost men,
and when all the Cretans from the town and some of the Aetolians came out to join their cavalry, the engagement became more general and the rearguard was forced to face about and engage the enemy.
At first the fortunes of the battle were even, but when the Illyrians came to the help of Philip's mercenaries, the Aetolian cavalry and mercenaries gave way and scattered in flight.
The king's troops pursued the greater part of them up to the gates and walls, cutting down about a hundred.
After this affair, the garrison of the city took no further action and the rearguard safely reached the main army and the ships.
Philip, having pitched his camp early in the day, sacrificed a thank-offering to the gods for the success of his late enterprise and invited all his commanding officers to a banquet.
It was indeed generally acknowledged that he had run great risk in entering such a dangerous country, and one that no one before him had ever ventured to invade with an army.
And now he had not only invaded it, but had made his retreat in safety after completely accomplishing his purpose. So that he was in high spirits and was now preparing to entertain his officers.
But Megaleas and Leontius on the contrary were much annoyed at the king's success, for they had pledged themselves to Apelles to hamper Philip's plans and had not been able to do so,
the tide of events having set against them. Still they came to the banquet.
Walbank Commentary