At the same period <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Agetas&groupId=303&placeId=595">Agetas</a>, the Aetolian strategus, with the whole Aetolian citizen force plundered <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Acarnania&groupId=270&placeId=527">Acarnania</a> and overran the whole of Epirus, pillaging the country with impunity.
After this performance he returned and dismissed the Aetolians to their several cities.
The Acarnanians now made a counter-attack on the territory of Stratus and being overtaken by panic, effected a retreat, which if not honourable was at least unaccompanied by loss, as the garrison of Stratus were afraid of pursuing them since they suspected their retreat was a ruse to lead them into an ambush.
The following instance of treachery countered by treachery also took place at Phanoteus. Alexander, who had been appointed to the command in <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Phocis&groupId=892&placeId=1606">Phocis</a> by Philip, made a plan for outwitting the Aetolians by the agency of a certain Jason whom he had placed in charge of Phanoteus.
This Jason sent a message to <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Agetas&groupId=303&placeId=595">Agetas</a> the Aetolian strategus offering to betray the citadel of that town to him, and entered into an agreement to do so confirmed by oath.
Of the appointed day <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Agetas&groupId=303&placeId=595">Agetas</a> with his Aetolians came to Phanoteus under cover of night, and concealing the rest of his force at a certain distance sent on a picked body of a hundred to the citadel.
Jason had Alexander ready in the city with some troops, and receiving these Aetolian soldiers he introduced them all into the citadel as he had sworn.
Alexander now burst in at once with his men, and the hundred picked Aetolians were captured. <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Agetas&groupId=303&placeId=595">Agetas</a>, when day broke, perceived what had happened and withdrew his forces, having thus been the victim of a trick not dissimilar to many he had played on others.
Walbank Commentary