Arcadia (regional unit)

This article is about the modern region of Greece. For the ancient one, see Arcadia (ancient region). For other uses, see Arcadia (disambiguation) and Arkadia (disambiguation).

Arcadia Περιφερειακή ενότητα Αρκαδίας
Regional unit
Municipalities of Arcadia
Arcadia within Greece
Coordinates: 37°35′N 22°15′E
Country	Greece
Region	Peloponnese
Capital	Tripoli
Area
• Total	4,419 km2 (1,706 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	86,685
• Density	20/km2 (51/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal codes	22x xx
Area codes	2710, 275x0, 279x0
ISO 3166 code	GR-12
Car plates	ΤΡ
Website	Official website (archived)

Arcadia (Greek: Αρκαδία, romanized: Arkadía Greek pronunciation: [ɐr.kɐˈði.ɐ]) is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Peloponnese. It is in the central and eastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. It takes its name from the mythological figure Arcas. In Greek mythology, it was the home of the god Pan. In European Renaissance arts, Arcadia was celebrated as an unspoiled, harmonious wilderness.

Geography

Arcadia is a rural, mountainous regional unit comprising about 18% of the land area of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is the peninsula's largest regional unit. According to the 2011 census, it has about 86,000 inhabitants; its capital, Tripoli, has about 30,000 residents in the city proper, and about 47,500 total in the greater metropolitan area.

Arcadia consists partly of farmland, and to a larger extent grassland and degenerated shrubland. It also has three mountain ranges, with forestation mainly at altitudes above 1000 meters: Mainalo, a winter ski resort, situated in the central north; Parnon in the central south; and Mount Lykaion, famous for the ancient history and myths associated with it, in the southwest.

Its climate features hot summers and mild winters in the east, the south, and those parts of the central area that are less than 1000 meters above sea level. Fall and winter are mostly rainy, except in the mountains to the west and north, Taygetus and Mainalo, which are snowy in winter.

Geology and Hydrogeology

Closed Basin Vlacherna/Hotoussa/Kandila

Temporary lake Argon Pedion, March 2019

Arcadia is almost totally mountainous and part of the "carbonate platform" (calcareous or limestone deposits) of the Peloponnese. The whole peninsula was formed by intense tectonics (faults, overthrusts and regional metamorphism). In Arcadia's central part around the Tripoli region developed a special form of topography, a geologically fascinating phenomenon: There are several plains and "intra mountainous basins", even "closed basins": The 30 km long "Tripoli-Plateau", "Argon Pedion", Basin of Levidi, Basin of Vlacherna Arcadia/Hotoussa/Kandila.

The peculiarity of the plains and basins is a result of intensive karstification: Water seeps into the underground, rather than eroding and draining the topography by surface waterways. All drainage runs through ponors (in Greek: καταβόθρες) and subterranean waterways. The additional problem for rural activities in the basins: When winter rains are heavy, the ground is flooded or temporary lakes arise, even today, as drainage through katavothres is often too slow to start cultivation in due time.

History

Ancient history

Main article: Arcadia (ancient region)

"Les Bergers d’Arcadie" by Nicolas Poussin.

Landscape of Arcadia.

“When a button is pushed to go back in time, you will return to the time the button was pushed.” - Echoes of Atlantis, by Eirik Sinclair

Voyage of the Thundergods

Three Days, Two Knights – The Olympic Saga!

Birth of a Civilization – An oubliette, a prison within a desert bears its fruit. Man is no longer a robust and naturally occurring animal. Hard labor and scant nutrition has thinned man to the point where a physical evolution takes place. Speed, flexibility, and range of movement are increased. The Greeks mix with the Egyptian profile and create a new race of beings. Egypt, Israel, the City of Troia and back to Greece, is the trek followed by land. The Scottish Race is erected in Greece. The Aenglish Race is created from those rebelling from this forced state of breeding, in Mesopotamia. Blue eyes are created. The Cretan Bull, 4th King of Crete, Samson of Jewish heritage which evolves into the future medieval line of Henry VIII of Irish heritage, an English/Scottish mix, takes his thrown. Forcing each Greek family to sacrifice a child to this endeavor by sea, Atlantis forms its first ring. India is created as a Well for those who wish to follow the path by Zeus. Helen of Sparta, consort to the Cretan King, is sent to Troia to mix with the Aenglish Race from Mesopotamia. A mix of inbreeding devolution and discipline from royal excess create Helen of Troy. Racial/Sexist tones cause Greece, the world’s first civilization to fall as each side favors their station (ingredient) over the broader Greek form (recipe). The 1st naval citadel of Atlantis, Crete, is abandoned as it needs to move West to avoid the culture clash.

The Greek World was becoming effeminate due to the choices that wives take against their husbands. Also, due to the choices men make as they take brides from Sister States, such as Troia. Two marriages were the obvious solution. One to reduce size and girth in the human form, and another to sustain thought and strength from Royal lineage. Heroic voyages during youth are simply the search for brides in Sister States. Olympic marriages are simply the continuation of a genetic line. Racial/Sexist conflict due to the burgeoning populations of both marriages, growing within a home state, force a need to found a new home. Helen of Sparta, is a she wolf. Taken to South America in 754 BC as punishment for opening the Gates of Troy, she suckles both Rome and Carthage. Romulus and Remis. The Pillars of Heracules. From Peru, Helen’s children are taken to Cuba & Japan in the Oriental Trade, serving the third ring of Atlantis and the fourth Olympic Ring. Romulus, Washington DC, becomes the capital. Remis, the son of Mar, starts the melting pot within an Equatorian cave. The Origins of Indians. So begins the Religion of Thor in North America, until the Battle of Uppsala Sound in 791 AD. The Viking Age in Europe begins in 793 AD at Lindenferne with a leaderless army seeking revenge.

As written in Greek History (despite all the coded flummox), King Philip II of Macedon and his General Attalus had prepared for war against Asia due to the incursion of western Greece. The Epirus Region in western Greece was heavily inhabited by antecendents of Sysyphus the Egyptian, or modern day Asians. When Alexander I was coming of Age, King Philip II determined that his marriage to his first wife was an attempt to overthrow his rule. As she was truly a Cleopatra, a descendant line of Sysyphus. Speculating that his son was indeed Alexander Sysyphus... or a bastard, he then plotted his retreat due to their aversion to his invasion plans. Distraught over his marital strife, he divorced and remarried, to father a Royal son of Greece. As misdirection to Alexander I (Pharaonic son), King Philip II (Greek son) gives the appearance of sinking into drunken debauchery instead of planning his invasion of Persia. The historical conquests of Alexander the Great are all but a Stratagem, for they actually belonged to King Philip II. After winning many battles, and driving further than anyone had gone before, King Philip II collected his generals from their eastern regions and made for an exit as they could not sustain the war indefinitely. Word was sent of his army’s defeat, and Alexander I and his court concocted the stories to be told upon his supposed death. Word was dispatched that Attalus who sent word of the defeat, as he would be the only survivor, was to be executed. A replacement was seated. It is to be noted that Attalus had the pleasure of poisoning Alexander in Egypt, as retribution for the death decree. A replacement seated?

Alexander the Great, being Prometheus of Scotland, is held to his lofty throne until Greece dissolves from its internal Racial/Sexist strife as his (Olympic) father Philip II circles over Greece (West & East) with more sons. Herakles, the lowly son of Greece, more brawn than brains, but still greater than humans, embodies the six royal Sister States of Persia that circle around the Peloponnese as Zeus of Arcadia, the internal nation. Descending from Samson & Sampson, those who completed two of the ancient challenges from Temples, he then becomes a Hero by sea for the working class. Occupying 10 islands during his own pursuit around the world, he acts as Union Boss to complete ten ancient challenges as Regent of Persian forces (Titan). Ancient Philosophers of Greece rising from Egypt (French/Roman) give him his knowledge from Crete. The Fleur-de-lis path follows the Greccan King as it branches out in all directions to control a birth of royal tyranny. With each nation conquered enroute, the once bald Philosophers of Greece coated their heads with the Golden Fleece.

Acting as King Aegeus, Philip the true king of Greece was now on the run. Establishing Viking rule, he proceeded to drain Carthage of its inhabitants. Alexander on the other hand, spread Philip II’s genes throughout the Epirus Region, as he truly was his half breed son. After Roman sieges began in Greece, the children of Sysyphus retreated along what would become the Silk Road in an exodus, that which would lead to China. There, Alexander’s children would spread the Greek Emperor’s military mind as Mongols. The first Emperor of China followed shortly thereafter. With none guarding Greece, Rome began to occupy its territories. Mongols would then become the remnants of Persians (body) and Monks (mind) who mixed from the second tier of royalty. Romans then started the Punic Wars in Carthage. The 2nd naval citadel of Atlantis, Sicily, falls during this time. The 3rd naval citadel, Cuba, was erected during the Nordic Era from those fleeing the Mediterranean along with Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and his 300 pound men in 133 BC. Nordic double-bladed rule reigns over two Great Oceans. Mar, son of Aegeus, ruled from Equador. Persephone & Pandora guard an emerging 4th ring of Atlantis which never materializes. The Templar Order splits in two, the schism gives Rome a second citadel.

Nordic Era began circa 1200 BC – America was colonized by Viking voyages as per the Greenland Sagas. The discovery had taken place by circling the globe at the equator. Following the coastal highway north, the Nordic Realm is discovered with a short trip back to Europe. The African nation of Carthage, one of the two pillars of Heracules, moves to the Baltic Sea. The Nordic World is born. The Voyage of the Thundergods, as it was called in 250 BC, is followed by the Roman Governor of Carthage, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus due to the Racial/Sexist tones of the time. Thracian field workers moved to Carthage become the Olmecs, Indians then take their place upon the American continent. The line of Tiberius, or Henry VIII, would evolve into the Byzantine Empire from the maritime operation. The three rings of Atlantis - Greek, Roman, Nordic. All with citadels for the Aenglish, the Scottish, and the combination Swedish royalty. C4, it’s explosive.

Mount Vesuvius 79 AD – A volcanic eruption buries the Cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Destroying two of the three cities which were dedicated to the Nordic Realm. Racial/Sexist tones smell the blood of destruction and start the flood which will eventually destroy the Nordic Era. The Grecco-Roman War envelops the Old World. With the remnants of Greece growing in the Orient, the Vikings invaded from the Pacific, the stories of Monsters. Having mixed with Rome, the now Scottish Vikings mix with the Oriental trade, giving rise to those who would continue the Templar tradition. Choros Island, off the coast of Peru, was the portal for all traffic returning from Asia. Peru, Mesoamerica (Mexico), Cahokia (Chicago) and back to Europe is the trek taken by those tribes populating Sweden (English Indians) and Scotland (Greek Indians). In 791 AD, Atlantis falls in one final battle between Royal lines in the Battle for Uppsala Sound. Those people of the Religion of Thor who did not return to Europe became the American Indians, and widow Sabine Women (witches).

The ruins were incorporated into the Byzantine Empire. The island of Thera being the Pharaonic citadel during Greccan Times, a Gold Coast being created from Roman Times, and Brazil being the port for Egyptian travel from what was the Old World. In 985 AD, after three evolutions of the white race with American Indians, each English/Irish Viking ship heading down the East Coast of America to Roanoke (NY) was attacked. One by one, they were overwhelmed by Skraelingar (famished citizens) and Staves (Indian escorts). These entities were consolidated into the Federated States of America in 1040 AD, which armed and militarized the tribes favorable to them. Vikings are faced with their half breed Templar. William the Conqueror takes control of America from the Danes in 1066 AD. By 1068 AD, the Vikings were all but wiped out. In 1101 AD, the first Magna Carta was signed, giving ownership to the colonies which were created by those who supplanted the Nordic Realm. Had Liefr Ericsson not survived the assault in 985 AD, and entered America through the northern Templar exit portal, the events that were transpiring would not have reached the Sinclair family, those who represented America in the Byzantine Empire. A mix of Scottish Templar and Norwegian Vikings (Luther).

The white ape had been extinct for 2,000 years, whereas the white race had evolved three times in Greccan times alone. The half breed children of Greece continue the war into the Medieval Era, as Roman half breed children take a foothold in America. The Irish army that King Arthur brings back with him from America returns the Romans to the Italian Peninsula. A French Connection is formed by the blending of forces. Rome moves to Southern France, home of the Templar. In 1307 AD, with the Vikings already gone and the English/Irish Templar in desperation, the Hail Mary which King Philip II of Greece began over 1,600 years earlier came to an end… history erased. With the loss of England due to the black plague, North America is now completely controlled by Scottish forces. What remained of those people brought to Choros Island in South America? Templar Portal, Jaguar Skye Gods... it's all Alien theory held within the wardrobe.

Having survived the fracas, Liefr Ericsson convenes the western tribes favorable to his plight. The stage was now set for the birth of the future United States of America with the Orion Armistice of 1255 AD in Iceland. The United States begins in 1776. With Nordic forces growing again within the country, Union forces that had been created by the union of Nordic people and the Egyptian people rebelled from the agreement. In 1863 AD, they crush the Confederate States of America in an act of Insurrection in a time before edicts became law. The racially equal blending of Greek mind and Egyptian body had overthrown its Father, he who had tried to preserve the Egyptian body and were to continue the Greek mind in their purest form. A patriarchal/matriarchal War. Robert E. Lee was a Union officer assigned to lead the Nordic population to fight, so they could be exterminated as Scottish forces (Romulus-Soccer) feared (Remis-Football) populations. They belonged to a Confederacy that wrote, and was created by the Constitution of the United States. To preserve the Greek heritage of philosophers (both Patriarchal and Matriarchal tribes) which took 40,000 years to produce. Those men who founded and circled the globe, creating the Atlantis and Olympic myths. Japan, Madagascar, the Templar portages in Europe, the plague (Walls of Derry). The Olympic feat reduced to ashes and dust. Another white race exterminated.

by Zeus of Arcadia, Son to Helen of Macedon

Medieval history

After the collapse of the Roman power in the west, Arcadia remained as part of the Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire. 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 became a part of the Principality of Achaea, but was progressively recovered by the Byzantine Greeks of the Despotate of the Morea from the 1260s on, a process that was completed in 1320. The region fell into the hands of the Ottoman Turks in 1460. With the exception of a period of Venetian rule in 1687–1715, the region remained under Turkish control until 1821.

The Latin phrase Et in Arcadia ego, which is usually interpreted to mean "Even in Arcadia there am I", 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.

Modern history

Commander Panagiotis Kephalas raising the Maniot flag in Tripoli (Tripolitsa), the capital of Arcadia, after the successful siege.

Arcadia was one of the centres of the Greek War of Independence which saw victories in their battles including one in Tripoli. After a victorious revolutionary war, Arcadia was finally incorporated into the 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 half their inhabitants, and fears arose that they would turn into ghost towns. Arcadia now has a smaller population than Corinthia. Demographers expected that its population would halve between 1951 and the early 21st century. The population has fallen to 87,000 in 2011.

An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter magnitude scale shook Megalopoli and the surrounding area in 1965. Large numbers of buildings were destroyed, leaving people homeless. Within a couple of years, the buildings were rebuilt anti-seismically. This earthquake revealed an underground source of lignite in the area, and in 1967 construction began on the Megalopoli Power Plant, which began operating in 1970. The 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 damage in Arcadia, notably in the mountains.

In 2008, a theory proposed by classicist Christos Mergoupis suggested 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, this research is ongoing and currently being conducted in Greece. The research was first mentioned on CNN International in May 2008.

Language

When, during the Greek Dark Ages (c. 1200 BC–800 BC), Doric Greek was introduced to the Peloponnese, the older Arcadocypriot Greek language apparently survived in Arcadia. 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.

The Tsakonian language, still spoken on the coast of modern Arcadia (but 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 Greek. The principal cities of Tsakonia are the Arcadian coastal towns of Leonidio and Tyros.

Administration

Megalopoli

Leonidio

Karytaina

Dimitsana

Ancient site of Orchomenus (Arcadia) and the Karst basin, in Pausanias' time (AD 110 – ca. 180) with a lake

The regional unit Arcadia is subdivided into 5 municipalities. These are (number as in the map in the infobox):

• Gortynia (3)
• Megalopoli (5)
• North Kynouria (Voreia Kynouria, 2)
• South Kynouria (Notia Kynouria, 4)
• Tripoli (1)

Prefecture

As a part of the 2011 Kallikratis government reform, the regional unit Arcadia was created out of the former prefecture Arcadia (Greek: Νομός Αρκαδίας). 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	Dimitsana	Dimitsana
	Vytina
	Iraia
	Kleitor
	Kontovazaina
	Langadia
	Trikolonoi
	Tropaia
Megalopoli	Megalopoli	Megalopoli
	Gortyna
	Falaisia
North Kynouria (Voreia Kynouria)	North Kynouria	Astros
South Kynouria (Notia Kynouria)	Leonidio	Leonidio
	Kosmas
	Tyros
Tripoli	Tripoli	Tripoli
	Valtetsi
	Korythio
	Levidi
	Mantineia
	Skiritida
	Tegea
	Falanthos

Provinces

Arcadia was divided into four provinces:

• Province of Gortynia—Dimitsana
• Province of Kynouria—Leonidio
• Province of Mantineia—Tripolis
• Province of Megalopoli—Megalopolis

Note: Provinces no longer hold any legal status in Greece.

Ancient and modern towns and cities

See also: List of settlements in Arcadia

The main towns in modern Arcadia are Tripoli, Astros, Vytina, Dimitsana, Lagkadia, Tyros, Leonidio, Levidi, Megalopoli and Stemnitsa.

Ancient cities include Acacesium, Asea, Astros, Athinaio, Daseae, Falaisia (Phalesia), Gortys, Hypsus (Stemnitsa), Heraia, Lusi, Lykaio, Lycosura, Mantineia, Megalopolis, Orchomenus (Orchomenos), Tegea, Thoknia, Trapezus, Trikolonoi, Tropaia, Tripoli, Tyros, other cities includes Basilis, Caphyae, Charisia, Ellison, Enispe, Kaous, Karyes, Methydrio, Melangeia, Oryx, Paroria, Pelagos, Rhipe, Stratia, Teuthis and several more. Cities which once belonged in Arcadia include Alea (now in Argolis), Amilos (now in Achaia), and Phigalia (now in Elis).

Economy

A thermoelectric power station which produces electricity for most of southern Greece, operates to the south of Megalopolis, 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.

Transportation

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 7
  • Greek National Road 33, N
  • Greek National Road 39, Cen, S
  • Greek National Road 66, N
  • Greek National Road 74, NW, N
  • Greek National Road 76, W, SW
• Secondary roads:
  • Leontari-Dyrrachio Road
  • Astros-Tyros-Leonidi-Monemvasia Road
  • Karytaina-Dimitsana Road
  • Megalopoli-Lykaio Road
  • Sparta-Leonidi Road
  • Tripoli-Dimitsana Road
  • Tripoli-Astros-Tyros-Leonidi Road
  • Tripoli-Nestani Road
  • Tripoli-Vytina Road
  • Veligosti-Vastas Road
  • Vourvoura-Leonidi Road

Arcadia has two tunnels. The Artemisio Tunnel opened first, followed by the tunnel east of Megalopolis; both serve traffic flowing between Messenia and Athens.

News

• Arcadia Portal | The news site of Arcadia
• tyrostsakonia.gr
• leonidion.gr

Television

• Arkadiki Radiofonia Tileorasi – ART

Sports teams

• Asteras Tripolis is the Greek soccer club from the city of Tripoli.
• Arkadikos B.C. is the basketball team based in Tripoli, founded in 1976.

Notable Arcadians

Mythology

• Lycaon, a mythical King of Arcadia
• Hermes, God of the gymnasium, public speaking, thievery, heralds and travellers.
• Pan, God of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature of mountain wilds, hunting and rustic music, and companion of the nymphs
• Atalanta, a Greek mythic woman said to have been the daughter of the King of Arcadia

Ancient Arcadians

• Polybius (app. 200–118 BC), Greek historian of the Hellenistic Period (Megalopolis)
• Philopoemen (253–183 BC), Greek general and statesman, Achaean strategos, known as "the last of the Greeks"

Ancient Olympic victors

• Androsthenes of Maenalus, won in 420 and 416 BC
• Euthymenes of Maenalus (wrestler), won in 400 and 392 BC

Greek War of Independence fighters

• Theodoros Kolokotronis (1770–1843), Field Marshal in the Greek War of Independence (1821–1832), he was raised and lived in Arcadia (Libovisi).
• Nikitas Stamatelopoulos Nikitaras o Tourkofagos (Nikitaras the Turk-Eater) (1784–1849), Greek revolutionary, nephew of Theodoros Kolokotronis (Tourkoleka)
• Dimitris Plapoutas (1786–1864), general in the Greek War of Independence (Paloumba)
• Gennaios Kolokotronis (1803–1868), Greek revolutionary, Major General and Prime Minister of Greece (May 1862 – October 1862), son of Theodoros Kolokotronis (Stemnitsa)
• Kanellos Deligiannis (1780–1862), Greek revolutionary leader, politician and President of the Hellenic Parliament (1844–1845) (Lagkadia)

Politicians

• Alexandros Papanastasiou (1876–1936), Prime Minister of Greece (March 1924 – July 1924 and May 1932 – June 1932) and sociologist (Levidi)
• Epameinondas Deligiorgis (1829–1879), Prime Minister of Greece, lawyer (Tripoli)
• Grigoris Labrakis (1912–1963), politician, doctor (Kerasitsa)
• Theodoros Deligiannis (1820–1905), Prime Minister of Greece (Lagkadia)
• Dimitrios Gontikas (1888–1967), politician and President of the Hellenic Parliament (Magouliana)
• Kostas Laliotis (1951–), Minister for the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works (1993–2001) (Doliana)
• Dimitris Avramopoulos (1953–), Minister for Foreign Affairs (2012–), Minister of National Defence (2011–2012), Mayor of Athens (1995–2002) (Elliniko)

Poets

• Nikos Gatsos (1911–1992), (Asea)
• Kostas Karyotakis (1896–1928), (Tripoli)

Scientists, scholars, educators, academicians

• Georgios Mistriotis (1840–1916), philologist, Professor of the University of Athens (Tripoli)
• Konstantinos Romaios (1874–1966), archaeologist, President of the Academy of Athens (Vourvoura)

Artists

• Mimis Fotopoulos (1913–1986), actor (Zatouna)
• Costas Gavras (1933–), director (Loutra Iraias)
• Maria Menounos (1978–), actress, television presenter, journalist (Akovo)
• Dimitris Mitropoulos, conductor and composer (Melissopetra)
• Vasilis Papakonstantinou (1950–), singer and director (Vasta)
• Kostas Tournas (1949–), singer and composer (Tripoli)
• Kostas Triantafyllopoulos (1956–), actor (Athinaio)
• Babis Tsertos (1956–), musician, singer (Tropaia)
• Stavros Tsiolis (1937–), director (Tripoli)
• Electros Vekris, artist / sculptor

Athletes

• Dimitris Kourbelis (1993–), international footballer (Korakovouni)
• Yiannis Kouros (1956–), ultramarathon runner (Tripoli)
• Michail Mouroutsos (1980–), Olympic taekwondo gold medalist (Lagkadia)

Other notable personalities

• Lakis Santas (1922–2011), Greek Resistance fighter who climbed on the Acropolis (with Manolis Glezos), on May 30, 1941, and tore down the swastika, which had been there since April 27, 1941, when the Nazi forces had entered Athens (Vytina)
• Erasmus of Arcadia, Greek Orthodox bishop

In popular culture

Main article: Arcadia in popular culture

• The word Arcadia has become a poetic idyllism meaning "utopia".
• Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) wrote The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia, a combination of pastoral romance and poetry, for his sister, Mary Sidney. It was hugely popular for over a century.
• In the science fiction show Doctor Who, Arcadia is the second city on The Doctor's home planet of Gallifrey
• Arcadia is the name of a prize-winning play by Tom Stoppard (1993).
• The Greek and Latin name Arcadius (Arkadios) was derived from "Arcadia" (see the Emperor Arcadius, the grammarian Arcadius of Antioch, the patriarch Arkadios II). From Greek it passed in Russian, Ukrainian, and other Slavic languages, where it is a common male name as Arkady or Arcady.
• The area of the prefecture were featured in several ERT programs including documentaries on the Megalopoli Mine and Ladon Lake.
• Marianas Trench refers to Arcadia, in their 2009–2010 song "Acadia", referring to it as a "unspoiled, harmonious wilderness".
• The rescue boat from Resident Evil 4 - Afterlife that appears near the end of the movie is named "Arcadia" and broadcasts a recorded help message that the survivors in Los Angeles will receive. Reaching the Arcadia will become their main objective in order to avoid being attacked by more zombies.
• The 2014 TV series Resurrection takes place in a real town, Arcadia, Missouri. The choice of setting likely is a reference to the Latin phrase Et in Arcadia ego, since the premise of the show deals with questions of life, death, and people being resurrected from the dead.
• The Greek musician Demis Roussos released a song in 1978 titled "Lovely Lady of Arcadia".
• The game Bioshock features a level and setting named Arcadia, which is a reference to the geography and landscape similarities.
• The game Life Is Strange takes place in the fictional Oregon town of Arcadia Bay.
• On 9 August 2017 BBC 4 broadcast In search of Arcadia a television documentary featured a 12 miles (19 km) section of the River Thames.
• Tales of Arcadia is an animated trilogy series created by Guillermo del Toro
• Arkadia is one of the regions of Greece that can be conquered/defended by either Athens or Sparta in the 2018 video game Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The region is considered a principal Greek breadbasket during the ongoing Peloponnesian War.
• Arcadia is the name of the space battleship of Captain Harlock

See also

• Polje

Literature

• Jacobshagen, Volker (ed), Geologie von Griechenland, Beiträge zur regionalen Geologie der Erde, Stuttgart, 1986. in German/English
• Pausanias, Description of Greece, English Translation by W.H.S. Jones + H.A. Ormerod, London, 1918.
• Morfis, A. (Athens), Zojer, H. (Graz). Karst Hydrogeology of the Central and Eastern Peloponnesus (Greece). Steirische Beiträge zur Hydrogeologie 37/38. 301 Seiten, Graz 1986.
• COST 621, Final Report, Groundwater Management of coastal karst aquifers, Brussels 2005.
• Ford, D. C. and Williams, P., Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology, Chichester, 2007, 4th, rev. ed.
• Mariolakos, Ilias. Geomythological Sites and Prehistoric geotechnical and hydraulic Works in Arkadia, 12th International Congress of the Geological Society of Greece, Field Trip Guide, Patras May 2010 in Greek

External links

• [1] Pausanias, Book 8, English translation, on Argon Pedion
• [2] Mariolakos, Geomythological Sites in Arcadia (incl. Argon Pedion) in Greek
• Conference.arcadians.gr, Pan-Arcadian Congress
• Arcadia.ceid.upatras.gr, University of Patras, Arkadia-Project
• Cs.bham.ac.uk, Arcadia, Greece
• Tripolis.gr
• Tyros.gr