ARCA:DIA, the middle and highest part of Peloponnesus, was bounded on the n. by Achaia, on the e. by Argolis, on the s. by Messenia and Laconia, and on the w. by Elis. According to Pausanias, it derived its name from Areas, the son of Callisto. Next to Laconia, A. was the largest country in the Peloponnesus. It had an area of 1700 sq.m., and was girt round by a circle of mountains, which cut off to a large extent its commu nication with the rest of the peninsula. Mountains also intersected it in different direc tions. The western part of what was anciently A., is wild, bleak, and rugged, and was at one time covered with huge forests; the eastern is more fertile,, the mountains not so high, and the vales more luxuriant. In these eastern valleys lay all the principal cities of A., The loftiest peak in A.—the loftiest also in the Peloponnesus—is Mt. Cyllene, in the n.e., 778 ft. The chief river was anciently the Alpheius, (q.v.). Originally A. was named Pelasgia, after its first inhabitants, the Pelasgi. Subsequently, it was divided into several small states, which formed a confederation. Of these united states, the
chief were Mantinea, Tegea, Orchomenos, Pheneus, Psophis, and'ilrlegalopolis. The inhabitants, engaged chiefly in tending cattle and in hunting among the wild highlands, remained long in a state of barbarism. After civilization had advanced, and the Arca dians had become known by their love of music and dancing, they still retained some military spirit, and were sometimes engaged as mercenary soldiers. But generally their character accorded with their simple, rural mode of life; though it seems certain that human sacrifices were offered as late as the period of the Macedonian sway. The Arca dians were not remarkable for their intelligence. In fact, an "Arcadian youth" was a synonym for a blockhead. Pan and Diana were their favorite deities. Ancient and modern poets (the latter especially in the time when " pastorals" were popular) have described A. as the land of peace, innocence, and patriarchal manners.