Arcadia
Encyclopedia
Arcadia is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the central and eastern part of the Peloponnese
peninsula. It takes its name from the mythological character Arcas
. In Greek mythology, it was the home of the god Pan. In European Renaissance arts, Arcadia
was celebrated as an unspoiled, harmonious wilderness.
. It covers about 18% of the Peloponnese peninsula, making it the largest regional unit on the peninsula. Arcadia has a ski resort on Mount Mainalo
, located about 20 km NW of Tripoli. Other mountains of Arcadia are the Parnon
in the southeast and the Lykaion in the west.
The climate consists of hot summers and mild winters in the eastern part, the southern part, the low lying areas and the central area at altitudes lower than 1,000 m. The area primarily receives rain during fall and winter months in the rest of Arcadia. Winter snow occurs commonly in the mountainous areas for much of the west and the northern part, the Taygetus
area, the Mainalo
n.
After the collapse of the Roman power in the west, Arcadia became part of the Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire
, until 1460. Arcadia remained a beautiful, secluded area, and its inhabitants became proverbial as herdsmen leading simple pastoral
unsophisticated yet happy lives, to the point that Arcadia may refer to some imaginary idyllic paradise, immortalized by Virgil
's Eclogues, and later by Jacopo Sannazaro
in his pastoral masterpiece, Arcadia (1504); see also Arcadia (utopia)
.
After the fourth crusade
, the area briefly became a part of the Principality of Achaea
, until recovered by the Paleologos family for the Byzantines In the mid-15th century, the region fell into the hands of the Ottoman
Turks
with some exceptions in the 16th century for a couple of years.
The Latin phrase Et in Arcadia ego
which is usually interpreted to mean "I am also in Arcadia" or "I am even in Arcadia" is an example of memento mori
, a cautionary reminder of the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death. The phrase is most often associated with a 1647 painting by Nicolas Poussin
, also known as "The Arcadian Shepherds". In the painting the phrase appears as an inscription on a tomb discovered by youthful figures in classical garb.
which saw victories in their battles including one in Tripoli
. After a victorious revolutionary war, Arcadia was finally incorporated into a newly-created Greek state. Arcadia saw economic growth and small emigration.
In the 20th century, Arcadia experienced extensive population loss through emigration, mostly to the Americas
. Many Arcadian villages lost almost half their inhabitants, and fears arose that they would turn into ghost towns. Arcadia now has a smaller population than Corinth
ia. Demographers expected that its population would halve between 1951 and the early 21st century. The prefectural population is in a range to a point that could fall below the 100,000 mark which could make it the next prefecture in Greece to have fewer than 100,000 people.
After World War II
and the Greek Civil War
, many villages and towns were rebuilt. An enormous earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale range
shook Megalopoli and the surrounding area in 1965. Many buildings were destroyed, leaving people homeless. Within a couple of years, the buildings were rebuilt anti-seismically. In 1967, construction began on the Megalopoli Power Plant
. It began operating in 1970, producing additional electricity for southern Greece. A mining area south of the plant is the largest mining area in the peninsula and continues to the present day with one settlement moved.
In July and August 2007 forest fires
caused some damage in Arcadia, notably in the mountains.
In 2008, a theory proposed by Classicist, Hellenic historian and researcher Christos A. Mergoupis, states that the mummified remains of Alexander the Great (not his actual tomb), may in fact be located in Gortynia-Arkadia, in the Peloponnese of Greece. Since 2008, the new research is an ongoing work in progress and is still being currently conducted in Greece. The research was first mentioned on CNN International in May 2008.Alexander the Great New Research: Are His Mummified Remains In Gortynia-Arkadia, Greece? Alexander the Great Discovery-New Important Research Conducted in Greece
(ca. 1200 BC–800 BC), Doric Greek
dialects were introduced to the Peloponnese, the older language apparently survived in Arcadia, and formed part of the Arcado-Cypriot group of Greek languages. Arcadocypriot never became a literary dialect, but it is known from inscriptions. Tsan is a letter of the Greek alphabet
occurring only in Arcadia, shaped like Cyrillic И; it represents an affricate that developed from labiovelars in context where they became t in other dialects.
Tsakonian Greek
, still spoken on the coast of the modern prefecture of Arcadia, in the Classical period considered the southern Argolid coast immediately adjoining Arcadia, is a descendant of Doric Greek
, and as such is an extraordinary example of a surviving regional dialect of archaic Greek. The principal cities of Tsakonia
are the Arcadian coastal towns of Leonidio
and Tyros.
Arcadia . The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.
Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece
.
, Astros
, Vytina
, Dimitsana
, Lagkadia, Tyros, Leonidio
, Leontari, Levidi
, Megalopolis
, Paloumba
and Stemnitsa.
Ancient cities include Acacesium (founded by Acacus
), Asea
, Astros, Athinaio
, Daseae
, Falaisia
(Phalesia), Gortys
, Hypsus (Stemnitsa), Heraia, Lusi
, Lykaio
, Lykosoura, Mantineia
, Megalopoli, Orchomenus (Orchomenos)
, Tegea
, Thoknia
, Trapezus
, Trikolonoi
, Tropaia
, Tripoli
, Tyros, other cities includes Basilis
, Caphya or Kaphya, Charisia
, Ellison
, Enispe
, Kaous
, Karyes, Methydrio
, Melangeia
, Oryx
, Parori
a, Pelagos, Phoizon, Rhipi, Stratii, Teuthis
and several more. Cities which once belonged in Arcadia include Alea (now in Argolis) and Amilos
(now in Achaia).
, along with a coal mine.
In agriculture, potato farms (dominant in central and northcentral Arcadia), mixed farming, olive groves, and pasture dominate the plains of Arcadia, especially in the area around Megalopolis and between Tripoli and Levidi.
Arcadia has two tunnels. The Artemisio Tunnel opened first, followed by the tunnel east of Megalopolis; both serve traffic flowing between Messenia
and Athens
.
Peloponnese
The Peloponnese, Peloponnesos or Peloponnesus , is a large peninsula , located in a region of southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth...
peninsula. It takes its name from the mythological character Arcas
Arcas
In Greek mythology, Arcas was the son of Zeus and Callisto. Callisto was a nymph in the retinue of the goddess Artemis. Zeus, being a flirtatious god, wanted Callisto for a lover. As she would not be with anyone but Artemis, Zeus cunningly disguised himself as Artemis and seduced Callisto...
. In Greek mythology, it was the home of the god Pan. In European Renaissance arts, Arcadia
Arcadia (utopia)
Arcadia refers to a vision of pastoralism and harmony with nature. The term is derived from the Greek province of the same name which dates to antiquity; the province's mountainous topography and sparse population of pastoralists later caused the word Arcadia to develop into a poetic byword for an...
was celebrated as an unspoiled, harmonious wilderness.
Geography
Arcadia has its present-day capital at TripoliTripoli, Greece
Tripoli is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants in the central part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture of Arcadia and the centre of the municipality of Tripolis, pop...
. It covers about 18% of the Peloponnese peninsula, making it the largest regional unit on the peninsula. Arcadia has a ski resort on Mount Mainalo
Mainalo
The Mainalo , is a mountain range that spans about 15 to 20 from north to south and from east to west from 5 to 10 km...
, located about 20 km NW of Tripoli. Other mountains of Arcadia are the Parnon
Parnon
Parnon or Parnonas or Malevo is a mountain range, or massif, on the east of the Laconian plain and the Evrotas valley. It is visible from Athens above the top of the Argive mountains. The western part is in the Laconia prefecture and the northeastern part is in the Arcadia prefecture. The Parnon...
in the southeast and the Lykaion in the west.
The climate consists of hot summers and mild winters in the eastern part, the southern part, the low lying areas and the central area at altitudes lower than 1,000 m. The area primarily receives rain during fall and winter months in the rest of Arcadia. Winter snow occurs commonly in the mountainous areas for much of the west and the northern part, the Taygetus
Taygetus
Mount Taygetus, Taugetus, or Taigetus is a mountain range in the Peloponnese peninsula in Southern Greece. The name is one of the oldest recorded in Europe, appearing in the Odyssey. In classical mythology, it was associated with the nymph Taygete...
area, the Mainalo
Mainalo
The Mainalo , is a mountain range that spans about 15 to 20 from north to south and from east to west from 5 to 10 km...
n.
Medieval history
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
, until 1460. Arcadia remained a beautiful, secluded area, and its inhabitants became proverbial as herdsmen leading simple pastoral
Pastoral
The adjective pastoral refers to the lifestyle of pastoralists, such as shepherds herding livestock around open areas of land according to seasons and the changing availability of water and pasturage. It also refers to a genre in literature, art or music that depicts such shepherd life in an...
unsophisticated yet happy lives, to the point that Arcadia may refer to some imaginary idyllic paradise, immortalized by Virgil
Virgil
Publius Vergilius Maro, usually called Virgil or Vergil in English , was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is known for three major works of Latin literature, the Eclogues , the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid...
's Eclogues, and later by Jacopo Sannazaro
Jacopo Sannazaro
Jacopo Sannazaro was an Italian poet, humanist and epigrammist from Naples.He wrote easily in Latin, in Italian and in Neapolitan, but is best remembered for his humanist classic Arcadia, a masterwork that illustrated the possibilities of poetical prose in Italian, and instituted the theme of...
in his pastoral masterpiece, Arcadia (1504); see also Arcadia (utopia)
Arcadia (utopia)
Arcadia refers to a vision of pastoralism and harmony with nature. The term is derived from the Greek province of the same name which dates to antiquity; the province's mountainous topography and sparse population of pastoralists later caused the word Arcadia to develop into a poetic byword for an...
.
After the fourth crusade
Fourth Crusade
The Fourth Crusade was originally intended to conquer Muslim-controlled Jerusalem by means of an invasion through Egypt. Instead, in April 1204, the Crusaders of Western Europe invaded and conquered the Christian city of Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire...
, the area briefly became a part of the Principality of Achaea
Principality of Achaea
The Principality of Achaea or of the Morea was one of the three vassal states of the Latin Empire which replaced the Byzantine Empire after the capture of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. It became a vassal of the Kingdom of Thessalonica, along with the Duchy of Athens, until Thessalonica...
, until recovered by the Paleologos family for the Byzantines In the mid-15th century, the region fell into the hands of the Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
Turks
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
with some exceptions in the 16th century for a couple of years.
The Latin phrase Et in Arcadia ego
Et in Arcadia ego
"Et in Arcadia ego" is a Latin phrase that most famously appears as the title of two paintings by Nicolas Poussin . They are pastoral paintings depicting idealized shepherds from classical antiquity, clustering around an austere tomb...
which is usually interpreted to mean "I am also in Arcadia" or "I am even in Arcadia" is an example of memento mori
Memento mori
Memento mori is a Latin phrase translated as "Remember your mortality", "Remember you must die" or "Remember you will die". It names a genre of artistic work which varies widely, but which all share the same purpose: to remind people of their own mortality...
, a cautionary reminder of the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death. The phrase is most often associated with a 1647 painting by Nicolas Poussin
Nicolas Poussin
Nicolas Poussin was a French painter in the classical style. His work predominantly features clarity, logic, and order, and favors line over color. His work serves as an alternative to the dominant Baroque style of the 17th century...
, also known as "The Arcadian Shepherds". In the painting the phrase appears as an inscription on a tomb discovered by youthful figures in classical garb.
Modern history
After 360 years of occupation by the Ottomans, Arcadia was one of the centres of the Greek War of IndependenceGreek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
which saw victories in their battles including one in Tripoli
Tripoli, Greece
Tripoli is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants in the central part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture of Arcadia and the centre of the municipality of Tripolis, pop...
. After a victorious revolutionary war, Arcadia was finally incorporated into a newly-created Greek state. Arcadia saw economic growth and small emigration.
In the 20th century, Arcadia experienced extensive population loss through emigration, mostly to the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
. Many Arcadian villages lost almost half their inhabitants, and fears arose that they would turn into ghost towns. Arcadia now has a smaller population than Corinth
Corinth
Corinth is a city and former municipality in Corinthia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Corinth, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit...
ia. Demographers expected that its population would halve between 1951 and the early 21st century. The prefectural population is in a range to a point that could fall below the 100,000 mark which could make it the next prefecture in Greece to have fewer than 100,000 people.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Greek Civil War
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
, many villages and towns were rebuilt. An enormous earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale range
Richter magnitude scale
The expression Richter magnitude scale refers to a number of ways to assign a single number to quantify the energy contained in an earthquake....
shook Megalopoli and the surrounding area in 1965. Many buildings were destroyed, leaving people homeless. Within a couple of years, the buildings were rebuilt anti-seismically. In 1967, construction began on the Megalopoli Power Plant
Megalopoli Power Plant
The Megalopoli Power Plant is a power plant in Arcadia in the central Peloponnese that produces electricity for southern Greece and the islands. It is located 5 km northwest of Megalopoli via the GR-76 , its entrance is 1 km to the east...
. It began operating in 1970, producing additional electricity for southern Greece. A mining area south of the plant is the largest mining area in the peninsula and continues to the present day with one settlement moved.
In July and August 2007 forest fires
2007 Greek forest fires
The 2007 Greek forest fires were a series of massive forest fires that broke out in several areas across Greece throughout the summer of 2007. The most destructive and lethal infernos broke out on August 23, expanded rapidly and raged out of control until August 27, until they were put out in early...
caused some damage in Arcadia, notably in the mountains.
In 2008, a theory proposed by Classicist, Hellenic historian and researcher Christos A. Mergoupis, states that the mummified remains of Alexander the Great (not his actual tomb), may in fact be located in Gortynia-Arkadia, in the Peloponnese of Greece. Since 2008, the new research is an ongoing work in progress and is still being currently conducted in Greece. The research was first mentioned on CNN International in May 2008.Alexander the Great New Research: Are His Mummified Remains In Gortynia-Arkadia, Greece? Alexander the Great Discovery-New Important Research Conducted in Greece
Language
When, during the Greek Dark AgesGreek Dark Ages
The Greek Dark Age or Ages also known as Geometric or Homeric Age are terms which have regularly been used to refer to the period of Greek history from the presumed Dorian invasion and end of the Mycenaean Palatial civilization around 1200 BC, to the first signs of the Greek city-states in the 9th...
(ca. 1200 BC–800 BC), Doric Greek
Doric Greek
Doric or Dorian was a dialect of ancient Greek. Its variants were spoken in the southern and eastern Peloponnese, Crete, Rhodes, some islands in the southern Aegean Sea, some cities on the coasts of Asia Minor, Southern Italy, Sicily, Epirus and Macedon. Together with Northwest Greek, it forms the...
dialects were introduced to the Peloponnese, the older language apparently survived in Arcadia, and formed part of the Arcado-Cypriot group of Greek languages. Arcadocypriot never became a literary dialect, but it is known from inscriptions. Tsan is a letter of the Greek alphabet
Greek alphabet
The Greek alphabet is the script that has been used to write the Greek language since at least 730 BC . The alphabet in its classical and modern form consists of 24 letters ordered in sequence from alpha to omega...
occurring only in Arcadia, shaped like Cyrillic И; it represents an affricate that developed from labiovelars in context where they became t in other dialects.
Tsakonian Greek
Tsakonian language
Tsakonian, Tsaconian, Tzakonian or Tsakonic is a Hellenic language, spoken in the Tsakonian region of the Peloponnese, Greece....
, still spoken on the coast of the modern prefecture of Arcadia, in the Classical period considered the southern Argolid coast immediately adjoining Arcadia, is a descendant of Doric Greek
Doric Greek
Doric or Dorian was a dialect of ancient Greek. Its variants were spoken in the southern and eastern Peloponnese, Crete, Rhodes, some islands in the southern Aegean Sea, some cities on the coasts of Asia Minor, Southern Italy, Sicily, Epirus and Macedon. Together with Northwest Greek, it forms the...
, and as such is an extraordinary example of a surviving regional dialect of archaic Greek. The principal cities of Tsakonia
Tsakonia
Tsakonia or the Tsakonian region describes the area of the eastern Peloponnese where the Tsakonian language is presently spoken...
are the Arcadian coastal towns of Leonidio
Leonidio
Leonidio is a town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit...
and Tyros.
Administration
The regional unit Arcadia is subdivided into 5 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):- GortyniaGortyniaGortynia is a municipality in the Arcadia peripheral unit, Peloponnese Periphery, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Dimitsana.-Municipality:...
(3) - MegalopoliMegalopolis, GreeceMegalópoli is a town in the western part of the peripheral unit of Arcadia, southern Greece. It is located in the same site as ancient Megalopolis . "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for Great city. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization in rustic and primitive Arcadia. In...
(5) - North KynouriaNorth KynouriaNorth Kynouria or Vóreia Kynouría is a municipality in Arcadia, Greece. It is located in the eastern part of the peripheral unit, between the northwestern shores of the Argolic Gulf and northern Laconia. Its land area is 576.981 km². Its population is 12,825 . The seat of the municipality is in...
(Voreia Kynouria, 2) - South KynouriaSouth KynouriaSouth Kynouria is a municipality in the Arcadia peripheral unit, Peloponnese Periphery, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Leonidio...
(Notia Kynouria, 4) - TripoliTripoli, GreeceTripoli is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants in the central part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture of Arcadia and the centre of the municipality of Tripolis, pop...
(1)
Prefecture
As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Arcadia was created out of the former prefecturePrefectures of Greece
During the first administrative division of independent Greece in 1833–1836 and then again from 1845 until their abolition with the Kallikratis reform in 2010, the prefectures were the country's main administrative unit...
Arcadia . The prefecture had the same territory as the present regional unit. At the same time, the municipalities were reorganised, according to the table below.
| New municipality | Old municipalities | Seat |
|---|---|---|
| Gortynia Gortynia Gortynia is a municipality in the Arcadia peripheral unit, Peloponnese Periphery, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Dimitsana.-Municipality:... |
Dimitsana Dimitsana Dimitsana is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. It is built on the ruins of the ancient town Teuthis... |
Dimitsana |
| Vytina Vytina Vytina is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. The seat of the municipality was the village Vytina. Its inhabitants are known as Vytiniots. Greek... |
||
| Iraia Iraia Iraia is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. It consists of 27 villages. Population 3,063 . The seat of the municipality was in Paloumpa. The municipality is named... |
||
| Kleitor Kleitor Kleitor is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. Its population was 2,584 as of 2001... |
||
| Kontovazaina Kontovazaina Kontovazaina is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. Its 2001 population was 500 for the village and 2,048 for the municipality... |
||
| Lagkadia Lagkadia, Arcadia Lagkadia , is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. It is the seat of the municipality of the same name. The village is connected by GR-74... |
||
| Trikolonoi Trikolonoi Trikolonoi is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit includes the villages of Stemnitsa , Syrna, Pavlia, Palamari and Elliniko. Stemnitsa is... |
||
| Tropaia Tropaia Tropaia is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 4,660 .... |
||
| Megalopoli Megalopolis, Greece Megalópoli is a town in the western part of the peripheral unit of Arcadia, southern Greece. It is located in the same site as ancient Megalopolis . "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for Great city. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization in rustic and primitive Arcadia. In... |
Megalopoli Megalopolis, Greece Megalópoli is a town in the western part of the peripheral unit of Arcadia, southern Greece. It is located in the same site as ancient Megalopolis . "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for Great city. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization in rustic and primitive Arcadia. In... |
Megalopoli |
| Gortyna Gortyna, Arcadia Gortyna , is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Megalopoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat was in the village Karytaina... |
||
| Falaisia Falaisia Falaisia is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Megalopoli, of which it is a municipal unit. The seat is in Leontari, 5 km north of the village Falaisia... |
||
| North Kynouria North Kynouria North Kynouria or Vóreia Kynouría is a municipality in Arcadia, Greece. It is located in the eastern part of the peripheral unit, between the northwestern shores of the Argolic Gulf and northern Laconia. Its land area is 576.981 km². Its population is 12,825 . The seat of the municipality is in... (Voreia Kynouria) |
North Kynouria North Kynouria North Kynouria or Vóreia Kynouría is a municipality in Arcadia, Greece. It is located in the eastern part of the peripheral unit, between the northwestern shores of the Argolic Gulf and northern Laconia. Its land area is 576.981 km². Its population is 12,825 . The seat of the municipality is in... |
Astros |
| South Kynouria South Kynouria South Kynouria is a municipality in the Arcadia peripheral unit, Peloponnese Periphery, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the town Leonidio... (Notia Kynouria) |
Leonidio Leonidio Leonidio is a town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit... |
Leonidio |
| Kosmas Kosmas, Greece Kosmas is a village and a former community in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit. Its 2001 population was 591... |
||
| Tyros Tyros, Greece Tyros is a town in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit. At the 2001 census, the population of the municipality was 2116. It lies in the heart of Kynouria and is between Parnon and the... |
||
| Tripoli Tripoli, Greece Tripoli is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants in the central part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture of Arcadia and the centre of the municipality of Tripolis, pop... |
Tripoli Tripoli, Greece Tripoli is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants in the central part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture of Arcadia and the centre of the municipality of Tripolis, pop... |
Tripoli |
| Valtetsi Valtetsi Valtetsi is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 1,842 . The seat of the municipality was in Asea. The municipality was recreated in the... |
||
| Korythio Korythio Korythio is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 2,613 . The seat of the municipality was in Steno. Other villages in the municipal unit are Elaiochori and... |
||
| Levidi Levidi Levidi is a small town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. The village sits on the eastern part of the slope of the Mainalo mountains. The pine forests are... |
||
| Mantineia Mantineia Mantineia was a city in ancient Greece that was the site of two significant battles in Classical Greek history. It is also a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat... |
||
| Skyritida Skyritida Skyritida is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. It has a population of 2,248, as recorded in 2001... |
||
| Tegea Tegea Tegea was a settlement in ancient Greece, and it is also a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat was the village Stadio.... |
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| Falanthos Falanthos Falanthos is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit... |
Provinces
Arcadia was divided into four provinces:- Province of Gortynia—DimitsanaDimitsanaDimitsana is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. It is built on the ruins of the ancient town Teuthis...
- Province of Kynouria—LeonidioLeonidioLeonidio is a town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit...
- Province of MantineiaMantineiaMantineia was a city in ancient Greece that was the site of two significant battles in Classical Greek history. It is also a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat...
—Tripolis - Province of MegalopoliMegalopoli ProvinceMegalopoli was one of four provinces in Arcadia, Greece. Its seat of government was in Megalopolis.-References:* http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/Επαρχίες_της_Ελλάδας...
—MegalopolisMegalopolis, GreeceMegalópoli is a town in the western part of the peripheral unit of Arcadia, southern Greece. It is located in the same site as ancient Megalopolis . "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for Great city. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization in rustic and primitive Arcadia. In...
Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
Ancient and modern towns and cities
The chief cities and communities in the prefecture include TripoliTripoli, Greece
Tripoli is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants in the central part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture of Arcadia and the centre of the municipality of Tripolis, pop...
, Astros
Astros, Greece
Astros is a town near the Argolic Gulf in the northeast Peloponnese in eastern Arcadia. The name and the settlement both date back to ancient times, when it was known as Astron. Astros is the seat of North Kynouria municipality , which is the largest in Arcadia and has the greatest number of...
, Vytina
Vytina
Vytina is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. The seat of the municipality was the village Vytina. Its inhabitants are known as Vytiniots. Greek...
, Dimitsana
Dimitsana
Dimitsana is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit. It is built on the ruins of the ancient town Teuthis...
, Lagkadia, Tyros, Leonidio
Leonidio
Leonidio is a town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit...
, Leontari, Levidi
Levidi
Levidi is a small town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. The village sits on the eastern part of the slope of the Mainalo mountains. The pine forests are...
, Megalopolis
Megalopolis, Greece
Megalópoli is a town in the western part of the peripheral unit of Arcadia, southern Greece. It is located in the same site as ancient Megalopolis . "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for Great city. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization in rustic and primitive Arcadia. In...
, Paloumba
Paloumba
Paloumpa is a town in southern Greece, positioned on a balcony overlooking the plain of Elis towards the Ionian Sea. It was the seat of the former municipality of Iraia. The town is off the beaten track, but contains a post office and a KEP - Centre for Serving Citizens...
and Stemnitsa.
Ancient cities include Acacesium (founded by Acacus
Acacus (Greek mythology)
Acacus , in Greek mythology, was a king of Acacesium in Arcadia, the son of Lycaon, and the foster-father of the infant Hermes. Maia gave birth to Hermes at dawn in a sacred cave on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, and he was raised by Acacus. He was believed to be the founder of the Arcadian town of...
), Asea
Asea, Greece
Asea is a village in Arcadia, Greece, in the middle of the southern Peloponnese peninsula. Asea is about 20 km from both Tripoli and Megalopoli, and 190 km from Athens. Asea was the seat of the municipality of Valtetsi...
, Astros, Athinaio
Athinaio
Athinaio is a Greek village in the westcentral part of Arcadia. Athinaio is in the municipal unit of Valtetsi. Athinaio had a 2001 population of 149 for the village and 183 for the municipal district...
, Daseae
Daseae
Daseae modern form: Dases or Bassae was an ancient city located northwest of the village of Choremi west of Megalopoli in the same municipality. Daseae dates back to ancient times, it was later abandoned....
, Falaisia
Falaisia
Falaisia is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Megalopoli, of which it is a municipal unit. The seat is in Leontari, 5 km north of the village Falaisia...
(Phalesia), Gortys
Gortyna, Arcadia
Gortyna , is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Megalopoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat was in the village Karytaina...
, Hypsus (Stemnitsa), Heraia, Lusi
Lusi, Greece
Lusi was an ancient city in Arcadia, Greece. It was a member of the Achaean League.Various legends surround the city. In one version of the story of Proetus's daughters, Melampus leads them to Lusi where they were healed of their madness in a sanctuary of Artemis....
, Lykaio
Lykaio (town)
Lykaio is a village in the Greek prefecture of Arcadia, part of the municipality of Megalopoli.Home of the legendary Lykaios family who were great soldiers in Greece....
, Lykosoura, Mantineia
Mantineia
Mantineia was a city in ancient Greece that was the site of two significant battles in Classical Greek history. It is also a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat...
, Megalopoli, Orchomenus (Orchomenos)
Orchomenus (Arcadia)
Orchomenus or Orchomenos was an ancient city of Arcadia, Greece, called by Thucydides the Arcadian Orchomenus , to distinguish it from the Boeotian town. Its ruins are near the modern village of Orchomenos .-Situation:It was situated in a plain surrounded on every side by mountains...
, Tegea
Tegea
Tegea was a settlement in ancient Greece, and it is also a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Tripoli, of which it is a municipal unit. Its seat was the village Stadio....
, Thoknia
Thoknia
Thoknia is a Greek settlement located around 9 km northwest of Megalopoli, about 41 km west of Tripoli, about 63 km northeast of Kalamata, and about 40 km southeast of Andritsaina. Thoknia had a population of 49 in 2001. Thoknia is in the municipality of Megalopoli...
, Trapezus
Trapezus, Arcadia
Trapezus is an ancient city located in the municipality of Gortyn. Trapezus dates back to ancient times...
, Trikolonoi
Trikolonoi
Trikolonoi is a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit includes the villages of Stemnitsa , Syrna, Pavlia, Palamari and Elliniko. Stemnitsa is...
, Tropaia
Tropaia
Tropaia is a village and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Gortynia, of which it is a municipal unit. Population 4,660 ....
, Tripoli
Tripoli, Greece
Tripoli is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants in the central part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture of Arcadia and the centre of the municipality of Tripolis, pop...
, Tyros, other cities includes Basilis
Basilis
Basilis ilis) was an ancient settlement in Arcadia. It is a direct descendant of , the Greek word for 'kingdom'.Pausanias mentioned Basilis as a village in his Arcadica, which is his description of Arcadia. It was said to be founded by the banks of the Alfeios in the foot of the Lykaio mountains...
, Caphya or Kaphya, Charisia
Charisia
Charisia , modern Greek forms: Charissia and Harisia was an ancient city in ancient Arcadia....
, Ellison
Ellison (ancient city)
Ellison or Elison , modern form :-as, also Ellisson or Elisson was an ancient place in Arcadia....
, Enispe
Enispe
Enispe was an ancient city in Ancient ArcadiaIt was Homeric, a prehistoric city that was mentioned only by Homer. It was collaborated with ther remainder of Arcadians in the Trojan War including the commander known as Agapenor...
, Kaous
Kaous
Kaous or Kaounta was a city in ancient Arcadia, a region of the southern part of Greece located on the Peloponnese peninsula. The remains of the ancient city have never been discovered....
, Karyes, Methydrio
Methydrio
Methydrio is a settlement and an ancient city in the municipality of Vytina, Arcadia, Greece. As of 2001, it had a population of 14 for the settlement and sits at 1,060 m above sea level...
, Melangeia
Melangeia
Melangeia was an ancient settlement in ancient Arcadia.Melangia was first known by Pausanias which was founded near Nestani on the Parthenio Mountains and where he passed from the ancient roads of Klimakos which it was known. It was the first Arcadian city which was visited by travellers...
, Oryx
Oryx (ancient city)
Oryx or Oryxis was an ancient city in Arcadia.Oryx was mentioned by Pausanias which he passed into the aras. Located between the Skiathis mountains and the banks of Ladon. It was 5 stadia from Caryae and founded much closer to the city state of Alous...
, Parori
Parori
Parori is a settlement and an ancient city in the municipal unit of Korythio north of Steno, Arcadia, Greece. As of 2001, it had a population of 37 and sits at 720 m above sea level...
a, Pelagos, Phoizon, Rhipi, Stratii, Teuthis
Teuthis
Teuthis was an ancient Arcadian city in the location of modern Dimitsana. In Greek mythology, a king of this city also bore the name Teuthis....
and several more. Cities which once belonged in Arcadia include Alea (now in Argolis) and Amilos
Amilos
Amilos was a city in ancient Arcadia.According to Pausanias it was a mountainous city founded 7 stadia from Aristocrates' grave and the Tenean springs. Pausanias said that the village during the older years was a city and believed it fell and decayed...
(now in Achaia).
Economy
A thermoelectric power station which produces electricity for most of southern Greece, operates to the south of MegalopolisMegalopolis, Greece
Megalópoli is a town in the western part of the peripheral unit of Arcadia, southern Greece. It is located in the same site as ancient Megalopolis . "Megalopolis" is a Greek word for Great city. When it was founded, in 371 BC, it was the first urbanization in rustic and primitive Arcadia. In...
, along with a coal mine.
In agriculture, potato farms (dominant in central and northcentral Arcadia), mixed farming, olive groves, and pasture dominate the plains of Arcadia, especially in the area around Megalopolis and between Tripoli and Levidi.
Transport
The Moreas Motorway (A7, E65) highway connects Tripoli with Corinth and Athens. It is being extended further southwest to Megalopoli and Kalamata.- Major roads or highways:
- Greek National Road 7Greek National Road 7The Moreas Motorway is a motorway in Peloponnese, Greece. Locally it is known as the Moréas , which was the medieval name of the Peloponnese. The A7 begins just west of the Isthmus of Corinth, branching off from Greek National Road 8A...
- Greek National Road 33Greek National Road 33Greek National Road 33 is a highway that runs from Patras, originally at Dimitris Gounaris Street, now begins at the beltway, and had a branch ending at Olympia, and ends near Vytina, and Levídi, and some think it still ends at Ellinikon near Andritsaina and Megalopolis...
, N - Greek National Road 37Greek National Road 37Greek National Road 37 is a south to north highway linking Tripoli with the GR-7/E55 along with GR-33 and GR-74 at the Tripoli Bypass, Sparta and Areopoli in the Mani Peninsula...
, Cen, S - Greek National Road 66Greek National Road 66Greek National Road 66 is a national highway of Greece. It connects Nemea with Levidi....
, N - Greek National Road 74Greek National Road 74Greek National Road 74 is a highway linking Pyrgos, Olympia, Tripoli and GR-7/E65. The west to east highway runs in the western and the central part of the Peloponnese. The highway begins in Pyrgos and into the hills and Olympia and used to ran through narrow roads which now bypasses Pyrgos and...
, NW, N - Greek National Road 76Greek National Road 76Greek National Road 76 is a west to east highway linking 2 km W of Krestena with GR-9/E55, Andritsaina and SE of Megalopoli . The highway west to Andritsaina is unofficially designated as GR-76 The west to east highway runs in the western and the central part of the Peloponnese...
, W, SW
- Greek National Road 7
- Secondary roads:
- Leontari-Dyrrachi Road
- Astros-Tyros-Leonidi-Monemvasia Road
- Karytaina-Dimitsana RoadKarytaina-Dimitsana RoadThe Karytaina-Dimitsana Road is a 30-km long road that connects the two federal roads, the GR-76 near Karytaina and the GR-74 The Karytaina-Dimitsana Road is a 30-km long road that connects the two federal roads, the GR-76 near Karytaina and the GR-74 The Karytaina-Dimitsana Road is a 30-km long...
- Megalopoli-LykaioLykaio (town)Lykaio is a village in the Greek prefecture of Arcadia, part of the municipality of Megalopoli.Home of the legendary Lykaios family who were great soldiers in Greece....
Road - Sparta-Leonidi Road
- Tripoli-Dimitsana Road
- Tripoli-Astros-Tyros-Leonidi Road
- Tripoli-NestaniNestaniNestani is a small village around 15km from Tripoli in the Peloponnese, Greece. It is part of the municipal unit Mantineia. The municipal district Nestani also contains the village of Milea....
Road - Tripoli-Vytina Road
- VeligostiVeligostiVeligosti is a Greek settlement located around 12 km south of Megalopoli, 3 km SSE from the nearest interchange with the GR-7/E65 , about 48 km northeast of Kalamata, about 4 km west of Leontari and about 40 km west-southwest of Tripoli. Veligosti is also in the...
-Vastas Road - VourvouraVourvouraVourvoura is a village in the municipal unit of Skyritida, Arcadia, Greece. As of 2001, it had a population of 369 for the village and sits at 1,000 m above sea level...
-Leonidi Road
Arcadia has two tunnels. The Artemisio Tunnel opened first, followed by the tunnel east of Megalopolis; both serve traffic flowing between Messenia
Messenia
Messenia is a regional unit in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese region, one of 13 regions into which Greece has been divided by the Kallikratis plan, implemented 1 January 2011...
and Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
.
Sports teams
- Asteras Tripolis is the Greek soccerFootball (soccer)Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club from the city of TripoliTripoli, GreeceTripoli is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants in the central part of the Peloponnese, in Greece. It is the capital of the prefecture of Arcadia and the centre of the municipality of Tripolis, pop...
. - Leonidio FC is the Greek soccer club from the town of LeonidioLeonidioLeonidio is a town and a former municipality in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality South Kynouria, of which it is a municipal unit...
.
Notable Arcadians
- Ancient Olympic victors:
- Androsthenes of Maenalus, won gold in 420 and 416 BC
- EuthymenesEuthymenesEuthymenes was a Greek explorer from Massilia , who explored the coast of West Africa as far, apparently, as a great river, of which the outflow made the sea at its mouth fresh or brackish...
of Maenalus, won gold in 400 and 392 BC
- AristonymusAristonymusAristonymus of Athens was sent by Plato to reform the constitution of the Arcadians. Aristonymus was the father of Clitophon.-Sources :*Plato, Republic, 328b*Plutarch, Reply to Colotes, 1126c...
, ancient person? - Mimis FotopoulosMimis FotopoulosDimitris "Mimis" Fotopoulos was a Greek actor, writer, poet and academic....
(April 1913 in ZatounaZatounaZatouna is a Greek settlement in the west-southwest of Arcadia. It is in the municipal unit of Dimitsana in the Peloponnese. Zatouna is connected with the road linking Dimitsana as well as the Karytaina-Dimitsana Road. Zatouna had a 2001 population of 75 for the village and 203 for the municipal...
- 1986 in Athens) - Nikos GatsosNikos Gatsos-Biography:Nikos Gatsos was born in 1911 in Asea in Arcadia, a district of the Peloponnese, where he finished primary school . He attended high school in Tripoli, where he became acquainted with literature and foreign languages. Afterwards, he moved to Athens, where he studied literature,...
, poet - Dimitrios GontikasDimitrios GontikasDimtrios Gontikas or Gondikas was a Greek historian and a linguist.-Bibliography:Gontikas was born in a village named Magouliana in the highland of Arcadia. He later studied law at the University of Patras. He was shortly a judge in Pyrgos until 1936 when he was elected to the Liberal Party as a...
, politician and president of the parliament - Kostas KaryotakisKostas KaryotakisKostas Karyotakis is considered one of the most representative Greek poets of the 1920s and one of the first poets to use iconoclastic themes in Greece. His poetry conveys a great deal of nature, imagery and traces of expressionism and surrealism...
(October 30, 1896 – July 20, 1928 in PrevezaPrevezaPreveza is a town in the region of Epirus, northwestern Greece, located at the mouth of the Ambracian Gulf. It is the capital of the regional unit of Preveza, which is part of the region of Epirus. An immersed tunnel, completed in 2002 which runs between Preveza and Actium, connects the town...
) - Yiannis KourosYiannis KourosYiannis Kouros is a Greek ultramarathon runner based in Melbourne. He is sometimes called the "Running God" or the "Pheidippides Successor". He holds every men's outdoor road world record from 100 to 1,000 miles and every road and track record from 12 hours to 6 days...
, ultramarathonUltramarathonAn ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
runner - Dimitris MitropoulosDimitris MitropoulosDimitri Mitropoulos , was a Greek conductor, pianist, and composer. Also known as Dimitris Mitropoulos.-Life and career:Mitropoulos was born in Athens, the son of Yannis and Angeliki Mitropoulos. His father owned a leather goods shop at No. 15, St Marks Street. He was musically precocious,...
, composer - Vasilis PapakonstantinouVasilis PapakonstantinouVasilis Papakonstantinou is a Greek singer known mostly for his work in Greek rock. Most of his songs have gained considerable popularity, mainly in Greece and Cyprus.- Early life :...
, singer and director - Giorgos Santas, with Manolis Glezos, he was famous for restoring the Greek flagFlag of GreeceThe flag of Greece , officially recognized by Greece as one of its national symbols, is based on nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white...
at the AcropolisAcropolisAcropolis means "high city" in Greek, literally city on the extremity and is usually translated into English as Citadel . For purposes of defense, early people naturally chose elevated ground to build a new settlement, frequently a hill with precipitous sides...
after nearly three and a half years of non-Greek occupation of the Battle of GreeceBattle of GreeceThe Battle of Greece is the common name for the invasion and conquest of Greece by Nazi Germany in April 1941. Greece was supported by British Commonwealth forces, while the Germans' Axis allies Italy and Bulgaria played secondary roles...
in 1944, a part of World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. - Grigoris Labrakis, Politician
- AtalantaAtalantaAtalanta is a character in Greek mythology.-Legend:Atalanta was the daughter of Iasus , a Boeotian or an Arcadian princess . She is often described as a goddess. Apollodorus is the only one who gives an account of Atalanta’s birth and upbringing...
, a Greek mythic woman said to have been the daughter of the King of Arcadia - Theodoros KolokotronisTheodoros KolokotronisTheodoros Kolokotronis was a Greek Field Marshal and one of the leaders of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire....
(1770–1843), a general in the Greek War of IndependenceGreek War of IndependenceThe Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
(1821–1832), lived in Arcadia. - Erasmus of ArcadiaErasmus of ArcadiaErasmus of Arcadia , also known as Gerasimos Avlonites , was a Greek Orthodox bishop of the Diocese of Arcadia in Crete, operating under the Patriarch of Smyrna. Erasmus' monastery, located south of Rethymon in central Crete, was a centre of resistance to foreign domination by the Turkish régime. ...
, Greek Orthodox bishop - Dimitris PlapoutasDimitris PlapoutasDimitris Koliopoulos Plapoutas was a Greek general who fought during the Greek War of Independence against the rule of the Ottoman Empire....
(1786–1864), a general in the Greek War of IndependenceGreek War of IndependenceThe Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
, also lived in Arcadia.
External links
- Arcadians.gr
- Conference.arcadians.gr, Pan-Arcadian Congress
- Arcadia.ceid.upatras.gr, University of Patras, Arkadia-Project
- Cs.bham.ac.uk, Arcadia, Greece
- Tripolis.gr
- Tyrost.gr