Tegea and “Arcadia”
centuries, was the most powerful city of Arcadia
and played a leading part in all those events that legends suggest or history records.
Consequently, a big part of the “materials” used by humanists and romantics for
appearing their visions in a real geographic space – Arcadia- emanates from Tegea.
For example, the legends that are related with the participation of
Arcadians in “Argonautic expedition”, in the “Epta epi Thebes” venture, in the
hunting of “Kalydoniou wild boar”, in the expedition against “Troy”, in the
“Irakleidon pre Isthmus” rebuttal, in the colonization of regions such as
Cyprus, Mikrasia and Italy, indicate Tegeates (1) as protagonists. But
also “God Pan” in Tegea’s earth made that agreement, before the battle of Marathon that was decisive for the hearing of his name in
the ends of world.
When, therefore, the later artists - in West and anywhere else- cite or paint the “God
Pan” and his escort, “Atalanti” or “Telefus”, “Augi” or “Agapinor”, “Arethoysa”
and her insistent lover “Alfeios” - for reporting the most known names- refer
obligatorily in parts of the mythological circle of Tegea.
however, impresses more, with regard to Tegea, consists to this: that is the
unique city of Arcadia
that her course through time - from the antiquity up to today-takes place in the
same space and her stages are visible and tangible.
If we contemplate that in the same this space the Tegeates
of today - of plain and of mountainous villages - are assembled so as to they
participate in some of their most mass events and that the space of Ancient Tegea
is a built-up space of also the new Tegeates, we easily lead to the conclusion
that in this environment is easier for the “Arcadian” desire to find shelter
for over winning the deterioration and oblivion that time brings about.
So, the today visitor
crossing the area where the walls of the
ancient city were extended, will meet next to the famous temple of “Alea Athena”,
a temple originated in the beginning of 19th century with incorporated
sculptures of the classic or Byzantine period. A little further, in a palaiochristianic
mosaic will see the annual circle, from January up to December, to be repeated perpetually
by the 5th century A.C. up to our days. Right after, passing under a natural
arch, will distinguish the conceitedness of the medieval wall to have been surrendered
at discretion in the ascensions of the humble ivy and will hear mixed voices
for the fights of new Hellenism, either in the fields of battles, or in the
tracks of peace. Then, going up a few steps, the visitor will be ahead of a strange
coexistence of centuries: A Byzantine temple of 10th century A.C. that has been
established above a theatre of the 2nd century B.C., and that again leans on
buildings of the Roman emperors’ era.
In this, they act reinforcing still certain data from the space of
a) The maintenance of the
region-name “Tegea” (besides from a relatively small period of time, when
replaced by “Nikli”), which diachronically does not determine a limited space
of installation, in the limits of village or city, but a total of scattered
b) The ascertainment that the same duration is
also observed in other elements of life of Tegeas’ citizens, like for example, the cited organization of a fair, where the ancient Tegeates named it “panagorsin”, later
it became “panegyris (fair)of Beauty” and today is all over Greece knowed as “panegyri
(fair) of Tegea”.Such forms of survival are observed in the all
breadth of Tegea’s popular culture. And while the time that is interfered is
considerable, nevertheless, very small distance separates legend, for example “Arethoysas
legend” from the newest “Aretoysas legend”.
Lots are those that determined the historical adventures of Tegea, but
also and her dynamic presence in all the periods of Greek History, either
Ancient or, centuries afterwards, the revolution of 1821. Those, however, that
put distinct their seal in all them is her geographic stain and the nature of
her ground. And while, from one side, the wealth of her fertile plain allowed
her to ensure easier than other Arcadian cities, property for her residents,
from the other side, it was natural to attract the looks of avid neighbors. The
fights that carried out Tegea at the antiquity, but even the chance that was
held for her at the Ottoman domination, were owed to a great extend in the
wealth that was offered by her ground.
Her geographic place, afterwards, on the crossroad of the ancient
and newer streets that crossed Peloponnese, many times distinguished her to a suitable
space of fighting meeting - particularly at the period of Frankish domination-
but simultaneously gave her access and communication ability with other regions inside and outside
Peloponnese, fact that is obvious in her cultural development.