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Modern Description: Thermos is one of the most interesting archaeological sites of Western Greece, and of archaeological and historical importance due to the continuous life and habitation from Middle Helladic or Early Mycenaean period to 2nd century B.C. The excavation started in 1897 and is continued until today by the Archaeological Society at Athens. It is located in central Aetolia and served as a meeting place for all the Aetolians. This is why Thermos was very early, probably already in Geometric or Archaic period, a panaetolian cult place, where Apollo Thermios was worshipped. In Early Hellenistic period, the sanctuary of Apollo became the religious and political centre of the Aetolian League, where each year commercial gatherings and elections were taking place.
The most important buildings of the site are the apsidal Megaron A of the prehistoric settlement, the so called Megaron B of the Early Iron Age and the three archaic temples of Apollo Thermios, Apollo Lyseios and Artemis. As for the monuments of the Agora, the two Stoas are of great interest because of their type and dimensions. In the site exists also a fountain and a building identified as “Bouleuterion”. In the Stoas a lot of votives and rich spoils, mainly panoplies, were kept. Many bronze statues were stood at the bases and the exedrae in front of the East Stoa. After the victory against the Gauls in 279 B.C. the Aetolians dedicated a trophy in the Sanctuary of Thermos, like the one they dedicated in the Sanctuary at Delphi, which represented gaulic panoply. The sanctuary was fortified by a wall with rectangular and circular towers and two gates.
Macedonian army destroyed the Sanctuary of Thermos twice, in 218 and 206 B.C., while after the Roman conquest (167 B.C.) and the dispersal of the Aetolian League it was abandoned and gradually desolated.
Megaron A of Thermon: The exact date of the settlement is not certain. Remains of elipsoid and rectangular buildings have come to light in the deeper strata of the site. The ellipsoid ones have been considered earlier, dated to around 1400B.C. The rectangular buildings, along with megaron A were built after this date. Megaron A lies northwest of the temple of Apollo Thermios, which partly covers the megaron. Its northern end was shaped as an arc, built with stone foundations and mudbrick walls. The latter were inclining inwardly, an indication that the roof was vaulted. The megaron was the accomodation of the local ruler; it was destroyed in ca. 1200 B.C.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermos_(Aetolia)
Wikidata ID: Q38281115
Trismegistos Geo: 2728

Info: Patras University

(Monuments of Aitoloakarnania and Achaia, 2003, University of Patras)

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