In the 10th century BC founded in Asia Minor two colonies named Magnissia, Magnesia of Sipylos, at the foot of Mount Sipylos on the banks of the river Ermos and Magnesia of Meandros on the banks of the river Meanrdos.
They settled in the region of Thessaly in the 12th century BC. during the period of the great movements of the Greek races. They were considered to be a Aeolian race, famous for their courage and maritime knowledge. The Magnites participated in the Amphictyonic Congress from the 7th century BC and constituted a particular political unity in the Thessalian area, the Magnet Society. They had their own cults, worshiped their own gods, such as Exodus Zeus, Iolkia Artemis and Koropaios Apollon, and were governed by their own laws and political mentality. Historical sources about Magnites are, among others, the works of Homer and Herodotus.