Mountainous region of the central Peloponnesus of ancient Greece. The pastoral character of Arcadian life together with its isolation partially explains why it was represented as a paradise in Greek and Roman bucolic poetry and in the literature of the Renaissance. The region is not exactly coextensive with the present-day department, Arkadia, which has an area of 4,419 square km and extends on the east to the Gulf of Argolis; the capital of the department is Tripolis. The plateau of Arcadia, with basins at elevations of 500 to 1,000 m, is bounded on the north by the Erimanthos and Killini mountains and is itself divided by numerous subsidiary ranges. In eastern Arcadia the ranges enclose a series of plains drained only by underground channels. The western plateau is more open, with isolated mountains through which wind the Alpheus River and its tributaries. One of those, the Ládhon, provides hydroelectric power at a dam and reservoir. A region of erratic rainfall, Arcadia has a few vineyards but no olive trees. There are patches of oak forest, but the eastern reaches are drier and less verdant.
In ancient times Arcadia was bounded on the north by Achaea, on the south by Messenia and Laconia, on the east by Argolis, and on the west by Elis.It was thus cut off from the coast on all sides. Because it was isolated from the rest of mainland Greece, Arcadia was not occupied by the Dorians during their invasion of Greece (1100-1000 BC), and it retained a dialect that still resembles that of the Greeks who settled in Cyprus (the Arcado-Cypriot dialects). By 550 BC Tegea, Mantinea, and the smaller Arcadian towns had all accepted forced alliances with Sparta, and discord between the towns subsequently prevented them from uniting against Spartan power. Most Arcadians remained faithful to Sparta during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), though in 370 BC the Arcadian League, with its capital at Megalopolis, united the Arcadians for a few decades before internal discord paralyzed their confederation.
In Roman times Arcadia fell into decay. It was a scene of conflict during the War of Greek Independence (1821-29). The land of Arcadia Leonidion, sea and lush plain. Old mansions with court- yards and high walled gardens. Houses with symmetrical windows and skylights. Artfully designed chimneys. Painted shutters. Decorated doorways. Stately houses with wood-panelled floors and moulded ceilings. As you stroll around you feel tradition coming alive with your every step in this lovely town. Holy Saturday in Leonidion. The bells toll in a festive way. Firecrackers hiss and bang in the streets non-stop. "Judas" figures burn outside the churches. Noise, com- motion. Lights are carried from one neighbourhood to another.The skies aglow with the beams of countless lanterns. On Easter Sunday the festivities reach their peak. Roast meat, wine, sweets, fritters, offered free to aII comers. Locals and strangers. A gesture of traditional gentility.This is Leonidion. Nobility, sunshine, gardens loveliness and generosity. Further on there's Plaka, a chacming little port with a pebbly beach. Shining next to the sea.
To the south, Poulithra, with its old stone houses and marvellous beaches. To the north, little bays. Sabatiki, Livadi quaint unforget- table fishing hamlets. Tiros beach. An enormous expanse of sand and gleaming pebbles. Relaxation and warmth. Just above it the beach of Agios Andreas. Dazzing azure seas. Fishing caiques and tavernas. Sky, sea and land in endless serenity. Paralia Astros. White on a green and blue background. A verse from a poem. Blue and the slap of oars on the water. Shady trees and traditional restaurants. The sweet smell of grilling octopus. A fisherman is untangling his net on the wharf. From here the road branches off to the mountains, Mt. Parnon. The drive is exciting, the countryside wild and unspoilt. Tiny viilages, farmhouses. Platanos, Prastos, Agios Petros. Cottages, manor houses towers and monasteries. The monasteries of Loukou, Elonas, Palaiopanagia Eortakousti, Karia, John the Forerunner. Awesome, silent and strangely comforting. Lighted candles and faint frescoes.