Hippocrates then commanded an Athenian force which invaded Boeotia. Hippocrates was given command of the land force that was to take Delium and he succeeded in doing so and fortifying a garrison there. When Hippocrates learned that the Boeotian army was approaching, Hippocrates began to retreat to Athens; he was unable to do so, and was defeated at the Battle of Delium by the Boeotian army under Pagondas.
Hippocrates then led an Athenian expedition into Boeotia. He was entrusted with leading the land campaign that would capture Delium, which he successfully accomplished by establishing a defensive outpost there. However, when Hippocrates became aware of the approaching Boeotian army, he attempted to withdraw his forces back to Athens; unfortunately, this proved impossible, and he suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Delium against the Boeotian army led by Pagondas.