# Arcadia (region)

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Historical region in Greece

For the administrative subdivision, see [Arcadia (regional unit)](/source/Arcadia_(regional_unit)). For the utopic region, see [Arcadia (utopia)](/source/Arcadia_(utopia)). For other uses, see [Arcadia (disambiguation)](/source/Arcadia_(disambiguation)).

Historical region

Arcadia Ἀρκαδία Historical region Landscape of Arcadia Ancient Arcadia in the center of the Peloponnese Location Peloponnese Major cities Mantineia, Tegea, Orchomenus Dialects Arcado-Cypriot Key periods 4th century BC

**Arcadia** ([/ɑːrˈkeɪdiə/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English); [Greek](/source/Greek_language): Ἀρκαδία, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Greek): *Arkadía*) is a region in the central [Peloponnese](/source/Peloponnese), Greece. It takes its name from the mythological character [Arcas](/source/Arcas), and in [Greek mythology](/source/Greek_mythology) it was the home of the gods [Hermes](/source/Hermes) and [Pan](/source/Pan_(god)). In European [Renaissance](/source/Renaissance) arts, [Arcadia](/source/Arcadia_(utopia)) was celebrated as an unspoiled, harmonious wilderness; as such, it was referenced in popular culture.

The modern [regional unit of the same name](/source/Arcadia_(regional_unit)) more or less overlaps with the historical region, but is slightly larger.

## History

Ancient regions of the Peloponnese with cities

Arcadia was gradually linked in a loose confederation that included all the Arcadian towns and was named [League of the Arcadians](/source/Arcadian_League). In the 7th century BC, it successfully faced the threat of [Sparta](/source/Sparta) and the Arcadians managed to maintain their independence. They participated in the [Persian Wars](/source/Persian_Wars) alongside other Greeks by sending forces to [Thermopylae](/source/Battle_of_Thermopylae) and [Plataea](/source/Battle_of_Plataea). During the [Peloponnesian War](/source/Peloponnesian_War), Arcadia allied with Sparta and [Corinth](/source/Ancient_Corinth). In the following years, during the period of the [hegemony](/source/Hegemony) of [Thebes](/source/Thebes%2C_Greece), the Theban general [Epaminondas](/source/Epaminondas) reinforced the Arcadian federation in order to rival neighboring Sparta. Then he founded [Megalopolis](/source/Megalopolis%2C_Greece), which became its new capital. Over the next centuries Arcadia weakened. It initially was subjugated by the [Macedonians](/source/Macedonians_(Greeks)) and later the Arcadians joined the [Achaean League](/source/Achaean_League).

## Geography

[Mount Lykaion](/source/Mount_Lykaion)

Geographically, ancient Arcadia occupied the highlands at the centre of the Peloponnese. To the north, it bordered [Achaea](/source/Regions_of_ancient_Greece#Achaea) along the ridge of high ground running from [Mount Erymanthos](/source/Mount_Erymanthos) to [Mount Cyllene](/source/Mount_Kyllini); most of [Mount Aroania](/source/Aroania_(mountain)) lay within Arcadia. To the east, it had borders with [Argolis](/source/Regions_of_ancient_Greece#Argolis) and [Corinthia](/source/Regions_of_ancient_Greece#Corinthia) along the ridge of high ground running from Mount Cyllene round to [Mount Oligyrtus](/source/Oligyrtos) and then south [Mount Parthenius](/source/Mount_Parthenion). To the south, the borders with [Laconia](/source/Regions_of_ancient_Greece#Laconia) and [Messenia](/source/Regions_of_ancient_Greece#Messenia) ran through the foothills of the [Parnon](/source/Parnon) and [Taygetos](/source/Taygetus) mountain ranges, such that Arcadia contained all the headwaters of the [Alpheios](/source/Alfeios) river, but none of the [Eurotas](/source/Eurotas) river. To the south-west, the border with Messania ran along the tops of [Mount Nomia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mount_Nomia&action=edit&redlink=1), and [Mount Elaeum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mount_Elaeum&action=edit&redlink=1), and from there the border with [Elis](/source/Regions_of_ancient_Greece#Elis) ran along the valleys of the [Erymanthos](/source/Erymanthos_(river)) and [Diagon](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diagon_(river)&action=edit&redlink=1) rivers. Most of the region of Arcadia was mountainous, apart from the plains around [Tegea](/source/Tegea) and [Megalopolis](/source/Megalopolis%2C_Greece), and the valleys of the Alpheios and [Ladon](/source/Ladon_(river)) rivers.

## Arcadians

[Karst](/source/Karst) Landscape near the community [Vlacherna](/source/Vlacherna%2C_Arcadia) ([Arcadia](/source/Arcadia_(regional_unit)))

The Arcadians were an ancient Greek tribe which was situated in the mountainous Peloponnese. It was considered one of the oldest Greek tribes in Greece, part of or a relative tribe of the aboriginal inhabitants of Greece (called [Pelasgians](/source/Pelasgians) by ancient Greek authors[1]), as described by Herodotus[2] and in ancient myths such as those of [Arcas](/source/Arcas) and [Lycaon](/source/Lycaon_(king_of_Arcadia)).

Arcadia is also one of the regions described in the "[Catalogue of Ships](/source/Catalogue_of_Ships)" in the *[Iliad](/source/Iliad)*; its troops were led by [Agapenor](/source/Agapenor).[3] [Agamemnon](/source/Agamemnon) himself gave Agapenor the ships for the [Trojan War](/source/Trojan_War) because Arcadia did not have its own.

## Towns

The Arcadians founded numerous towns. Of these the strongest were the cities which controlled the few fertile valleys; [Mantinea](/source/Mantinea), [Tegea](/source/Tegea) and [Orchomenos](/source/Orchomenus_(Arcadia)). The remaining towns were more mountainous or had smaller plains. Some of these were [Nostia](/source/Nostia),[4] [Asea](/source/Asea%2C_Greece), Ypsounta, [Teuthis](/source/Teuthis), [Heraea](/source/Heraia%2C_Arcadia), [Thyraion](/source/Thyraion), [Nestani](/source/Nestani), Alea, [Lycosura](/source/Lycosura), Trikolonon, Tropea, [Caphyae](/source/Caphyae), Pallantion, [Petrosaca](/source/Petrosaca), [Feneos](/source/Feneos), [Phoezon](/source/Phoezon), [Leucasium](/source/Leucasium), [Mesoboa](/source/Mesoboa), [Stymphalus](/source/Stymphalus_(Arcadia)), etc. From 370 BC the capital of Arcadia became [Megalopolis](/source/Megalopolis%2C_Greece).

Statues from the [Lycosura](/source/Lycosura) sanctuary: Artemis, Demeter, veil of Despoina, Antyus, Tritoness.

## Religion

Main article: [Despoina § Cult of Despoina](/source/Despoina#Cult_of_Despoina)

Arcadia was the location of the cult of [Despoina](/source/Despoina), also known as the Arcadian mysteries. *Despoina* means "the mistress", but was only a title given to the goddess, and was not her real name, which was told only to those initiated in the mysteries.[5] Despoina, along with [Demeter](/source/Demeter), was the primary deity worshipped in Arcadia,[5] and was particularly worshipped at a sanctuary at [Lycosura](/source/Lycosura).

The Arcadians had their own unique myths, which were mainly centered around Despoina and Demeter. Another important god in Arcadia was [Anytos](/source/Anytos), who was said to be a Titan who raised Despoina.[6]

## Notable Arcadians

- [Aristocrates II](/source/Aristocrates_of_Orchomenus) (c. 680–640 BC), king of the Arcadians

- [Polybius](/source/Polybius) (c. 200–118 BC), Greek historian of the [Hellenistic Period](/source/Hellenistic_Period) ([Megalopolis](/source/Megalopolis%2C_Greece))

- [Philopoemen](/source/Philopoemen) (253–183 BC), Greek [general](/source/General) and statesman, [Achaean](/source/Achaean_League) [strategos](/source/Strategos), known as "the last of the Greeks"

### Olympic victors

See also: [List of ancient Olympic victors](/source/List_of_ancient_Olympic_victors)

- [Androsthenes of Maenalus](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Androsthenes_of_Maenalus&action=edit&redlink=1), won gold in 420 and 416 BC

- Euthymenes of Maenalus, won gold in 400 and 392 BC

### Mythology

- [Atalanta](/source/Atalanta), a Greek mythic woman said to have been the daughter of the King of Arcadia

- [Evander](/source/Evander_of_Pallene), son of Hermes and an Arcadian nymph called Themis. He was the founder of [Pallantium](/source/Pallantium). Pallantium became one of the cities that was merged later into the [ancient Rome](/source/Ancient_Rome).[7]

- [Hermes](/source/Hermes), god of gymnasium, public speaking, thievery

- [Pan](/source/Pan_(god)), god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature of mountain wilds, hunting and rustic music, and companion of the nymphs

- Themis, a local [nymph](/source/Nymph), lover of Hermes and mother of Evander. Romans called her [Carmenta](/source/Carmenta).[7][8]

- [Arcas](/source/Arcas), a mythological king of Arcadia, from which the region takes its name

- [Lycaon](/source/Lycaon_(king_of_Arcadia)), a king of Arcadia turned into a wolf. He had fifty sons, many of whom gave their names to various towns in the region.

- [Callisto](/source/Callisto_(mythology)), daughter of Lycaon and follower of the goddess [Artemis](/source/Artemis). She was turned into a bear and shot, becoming the constellation [Ursa Major](/source/Ursa_Major).[9]

## See also

- [Elysium](/source/Elysium)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Herodotus [I, 56–57](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0126%3Abook%3D1%3Achapter%3D57)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Herodotus [VIII, 73](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0126:book=8:chapter=73&highlight=peloponnese)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Homer, [*Iliad* II, 603–611](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0134%3Abook%3D2%3Acard%3D581)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Stephanus of Byzantium](/source/Stephanus_of_Byzantium). Ethnica. Vol. *s.v*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) [Pausanias](/source/Pausanias_(geographer)). *Description of Greece.* [8.37.9.](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+8.37.9&fromdoc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Pausanias](/source/Pausanias_(geographer)). *Description of Greece.* [8.37.5.](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D8%3Achapter%3D37%3Asection%3D5)

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-perseus.tufts.edu_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-perseus.tufts.edu_7-1) [Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities, 2.1](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0081.tlg001.perseus-grc1:1.31.1)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Strabo, Geography, 5.3.3](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0099.tlg001.perseus-grc1:5.3.3)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Ovid, 43 B.C. – 17 or 18 A.D. *Metamorphoses*.{{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_numeric_names:_authors_list))

## References

- [Dionysius of Halicarnassus](/source/Dionysius_of_Halicarnassus). *Antiquitatum Romanarum quae supersunt, Vol I-IV*, translated by Karl Jacoby. In Aedibus B.G. Teubneri. Leipzig, 1885. [Online version at the Perseus Digital Library](https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Dionysius_of_Halicarnassus/home.html).

- [Herodotus](/source/Herodotus), [*Histories*](/source/The_Histories_of_Herodotus), [A. D. Godley](/source/A._D._Godley) (translator), Cambridge, Massachusetts: [Harvard University Press](/source/Harvard_University_Press), 1920; [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0674991338](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0674991338). [Online version at the Perseus Digital Library](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Hdt.+1.1.0).

- [Homer](/source/Homer), *The Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D. in two volumes*. Cambridge, Massachusetts, [Harvard University Press](/source/Harvard_University_Press); London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1924. [Online version at the Perseus Digital Library](http://data.perseus.org/citations/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0012.tlg001.perseus-eng1:1.1-1.32).

- [Ovid](/source/Ovid), *[Metamorphoses](/source/Metamorphoses)*, Brookes More, Boston, Cornhill Publishing Co. 1922. [Online version at the Perseus Digital Library](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0028%3Abook%3D1%3Acard%3D1).

- [Pausanias](/source/Pausanias_(geographer)), *Pausanias Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes.* Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. [Online version at the Perseus Digital Library](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Paus.+1.1.1).

- [Strabo](/source/Strabo), [*Geography*](/source/Geographica), Editors, H.C. Hamilton, Esq., W. Falconer, M.A., London. George Bell & Sons. 1903. [Online version at the Perseus Digital Library](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0239%3Abook%3Dnotice)

- Scheer, Tania J. (2015). ""They that held Arkadia": Arcadian foundation myths as intentional history in Roman Imperial times". In Foxhall, Lin; Gehrke, Hans-Joachim; Luraghi, Nino (eds.). *Intentional History : Spinning Time in Ancient Greece*. Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag. pp. 273–296. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-515-11288-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-515-11288-8).

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