v45_0105 - ARCADIA - ARCADIAN LEAGUE Hemidrachme

ARCADIA - ARCADIAN LEAGUE

(4th - 1st century BC)

Arcadia was landlocked in the Peloponnese. For more than a century from the 6th century to the end of the 5th century BC. -VS. , the Héræiens imposed their hegemony on most of Arcadia and thus found themselves the motor of the Arcadian League whose primitive coinage would have begun around 510 BC. -VS. Their capital, Lycosura, a religious city said to be the oldest in the world, founded by Lycaon, in honor of Zeus Lycaios. The Heraeans presided over the games held in the sanctuary of Mount Lyceum. Arcadia had entered Spartan orbit around 470 BC.. -VS. The Heraeans lost control of the League around 418 BC. -VS. The Arcadian cities emancipated from Spartan rule after the Peace of Nicias in 421 BC. -VS. But in fact, they will have to wait for the Theban intervention of Epaminondas in Arcadia and the foundation of the new federal capital, Megalopolis in 371 BC.. -VS. The Arcadian hopes crumble ten years later in Mantinea where the Theban conqueror dies.. Arcadia came under Macedonian rule after the unfortunate attack of the Spartan king Agis III which was repelled by Antipater, regent of Alexander III, in 331 BC.. -VS.