Arcas

This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Arkás ‎(Ᾰ̓ρκᾰ́ς) and Arkádios (Αρκάδιος),” which in turn derives from “Arkadíā ‎(Ἀρκαδίᾱ),” meaning “coming from Arcadia, a native of Arcadia.” Arcadia, also known as idyllic land, pleasant life land, far from reality and one of the regional units. It is part of the administrative region of the Peloponnese. It is named after the mythological character Arcas, son of Zeus and Callisto. Arcas became the new king of Arcadia and the most excellent hunter in the country. In Greek mythology, it was the home of the god Pan. In European Renaissance arts, Arcadia was celebrated as unspoiled, harmonious wilderness. Arcadius of Mauretania († 302) is venerated as a saint and martyr. Tradition states that he was a prominent citizen of Caesarea in Mauretania Caesariensis (present-day Cherchell), who hid away in the countryside to avoid being forced to worship the Roman gods. However, he was caught and arrested.