Arcadia (region)

Arcadia
Ἀρκαδία
Historical region
Photograph of a grassy landscape dotted with trees, with woodland and grassy hills in the background
Landscape of Arcadia
Map of the Peloponnese showing borders of ancient regions
Ancient Arcadia in the center of the Peloponnese
LocationPeloponnese
Major citiesMantineia, Tegea, Orchomenus
DialectsArcado-Cypriot
Key periods4th century BC

Arcadia (Greek: Ἀρκαδία, romanizedArkadía) is a region in the central Peloponnese. It takes its name from the mythological character Arcas, and in Greek mythology it was the home of the gods Hermes and Pan. In European Renaissance arts, Arcadia was celebrated as an unspoiled, harmonious wilderness; as such, it was referenced in popular culture.

The modern regional unit of the same name more or less overlaps with the historical region, but is slightly larger.