Alexander, warring in Asia at the time, called it a "battle of mice" (Ancient Greek: μυομαχίᾱ), according to Plutarch.

[1] In the autumn of 333 BC, the Spartan King Agis III had met with the Persian commanders Pharnabazus and Autophradates, somewhere in the Aegean Sea, and revealed to them his plans for a war against Alexander—in Greece itself.

Agis also recruited the Greek mercenary survivors of the Battle of Issus - who had served in the Persian army – a force of 8,000 veterans.

Early in the battle Antipater's lines broke, but in the end it was the sheer weight of numbers that brought victory to the Macedonians.

[7] The Spartans were forced to send ambassadors to Alexander, the Tegeans (apart from its "ringleaders") were pardoned and the Achaeans and the Eleans gave 120 talents to Megalopolis for laying siege to their city (Curt.