[6] Hyampolis lay in a valley in east Phocis, about eight kilometers from Abae, north-northwest of Orchomenus, situated on the road leading from Orchomenus to Opus,[4] As it stood at the entrance of a valley which formed a convenient passage from Locris into Phocis and Boeotia.

In 371 BCE, Jason, tyrant of Pherae, destroyed the unprotected lower town (sometimes identified with the village Cleonae) as he was returning from Boeotia after the Battle of Leuctra.

After reconstruction, the city was once again captured in 198 BCE by Titus Quinctius Flamininus[12] and fell under Roman rule.

Hadrian had a stoa constructed in the city;[11] the Emperor Septimius Severus is mentioned in a local inscription.

William Martin Leake in the 19th century described the archaeological site as follows:[20] The entire circuit of the fortifications is traceable, but they are most complete on the western side.

Below Vogdháni, on the side of a steep bank which falls to the valley of Khúbavo, a fountain issuing from the rock is discharged through two spouts into a stone reservoir of ancient construction, which stands probably in its original place.Five kilometers north of Hyampolis, near Kalapodi, remains of a temple possibly belonging to a sanctuary of Artemis Elaphebolos[21] or of Apollo Abaeus were discovered.

On the basis of inscriptions and votive offerings, the oldest building phase of the sanctuary can be dated back to the Geometric period.