Consequently, on the approach of the Macedonians those in the town began pouring out of it confident in their numbers and in the advantage of the ground.
The king halted his peltasts on the level ground, and ordered his light infantry to advance on the hills and deliver a vigorous attack on the enemy.
His orders being obeyed, the combat was for some time an even one; but afterwards Philip's troops, yielding to the difficulties of the ground and to superior numbers, were put to flight.
When they took refuge with the peltasts, the Illyrians from the town in their contempt for them followed them down the hill and engaged the peltasts on the level ground.
At the same time the garrison of <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Acrolissus&groupId=278&placeId=548">Acrolissus</a>, seeing that Philip was slowly withdrawing his divisions one after the other, and thinking that he was abandoning the field, imperceptibly let themselves be enticed out owing to their confidence in the strength of the place,
and then abandoning <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Acrolissus&groupId=278&placeId=548">Acrolissus</a> in small bodies poured down by bye-paths to the level ground, thinking there would be a thorough rout of the enemy and a chance of some booty.
But at this juncture the troops which had been posted in ambush on the land side rose unobserved and delivered a brisk attack, the peltasts at the same time turning and falling upon the enemy.
Upon this the force from Lissus was thrown into disorder and retreating in scattered groups gained the shelter of the city, while those who had abandoned <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Acrolissus&groupId=278&placeId=548">Acrolissus</a> were cut off from it by the troops which had issued from the ambuscade.
So that both <a class="linkToPlace" target="_blank" href="/place?placename=Acrolissus&groupId=278&placeId=548">Acrolissus</a> was taken beyond all expectation at once and without striking a blow, and Lissus surrendered on the next day after a desperate struggle, the Macedonians having delivered several energetic and terrific assaults.
Philip having thus, to the general surprise, made himself master of these two places assured by this achievement the submission of all the district round, most of the Illyrians placing their towns in his hands of their own accord.
For after the fall of these fortresses those who resisted could look forward to no shelter in strongholds or other hope of safety. . . .
Walbank Commentary