Thaumaci

THAU´MACI(Θαυμακοί: Eth. Θαυμακός), a town of Phthiotis in Thessaly, was situated on the pass called Coela, on the road from Thermopylae and the Maliac gulf passing through Lamia. At this place, says Livy, the traveller, after traversing rugged mountains and intricate valleys, comes suddenly in sight of an immense plain like a vast sea, the extremity of which is scarcely visible. From the astonishment which it excited in the traveller, the city was supposed to have derived its name. It stood upon a lofty and precipitous rock. It was besieged by Philip in B.C. 199; but a reinforcement of Aetolians having made their way into the town, the king was obliged to abandon the siege. (Liv. 32.4.) Thaumaci was taken by the consul Acilius in the war with Antiochus, B.C. 191. (Liv. 36.14; comp. Strab. 9. p. 434; Steph. B. s. v. Θαυμακία.) Dhomokóoccupies the site of Thaumaci, and at this place inscriptions are found containing the ancient name. Its situation and prospect are in exact accordance with the description of Livy, who copied from Polybius, an eye-witness. Dodwell says that the view from this place is the most wonderful and extensive he ever beheld,and Leake observes that at the southern end of the town a rocky point, overtopping the other heights, commands a magnificent prospect of the immense plain watered by the Peneius and its branches.(Dodwell, vol. 2. p. 122; Leake, Northern Greece, vol. 1. p. 458.)