It is one of the six cities (along with Lepreum, Phrixae, Pyrgus, Epium, and Nudium) founded by the Minyans in the territory of the Paroreatae and Caucones.
[1] Pausanias writes that in the time of king Pyrrhus of Pisatis, the cities of Pisa, Macistus, Scillus, and Dyspontium rebelled against the Eleans because of the organization of the Olympic Games.
[2] Herodotus comments that, in his time, most of the cities founded by the Minyans were ravaged by the Eleans.
[3] The town is also cited by Xenophon in the framework of the war between Elis and Sparta led by Agis II about the year 400 BC.
In addition, he calls its territory "Macistia" and indicates that it extended beyond the Neda River.