Dr. Mary E. Voyatzis
Professor Emerita of Anthropology and Classics at the University of Arizona

The mountainous region of Arcadia, situated in the heart of the Peloponnese, has attracted considerable attention since antiquity. Many ancient authors described the region in detail, describing its rich mythology, unusual gods, numerous sanctuaries, engaging history, diverse geography, and the fact that its inhabitants were indigenous, living there even before the moon, and the original inhabitants of Greece. During the Renaissance, Arcadia was depicted in art as a beautiful, pristine, and magical place with unspoiled wilderness. By the 19th c. European travelers were exploring the region, and later in the century archaeologists began excavating its various sites. Today we shall look at some recently excavated sites in Arcadia, focusing on two where the speaker has been involved, the Sanctuary of Athena Alea at Tegea, and the Sanctuary of Zeus on Mt. Lykaion. We shall see how archaeological discoveries have contributed significantly to our understanding of the history of Arcadia and enhanced our appreciation of this enchanting mountainous region.