SACRED LANDSCAPES IN THE PELOPONNESE: ACHAIA AND NORTHERN ARCADIA

This work examines the sacred landscapes of Achaia and Northern Arcadia from the Early Iron Age (10th century BC) to the Roman conquest of Greece in 146 BC. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining archaeology, history, and advanced digital tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the study systematically catalogues cultic sites and explores their spatial, environmental, and social contexts. The research reveals that sanctuaries in this region were deeply embedded in both natural landscapes and socio-political structures, serving as dynamic sites of religious, territorial, and communal identity. Spatial analyses—including distribution and visibility studies, least-cost pathway modelling, and diachronic mapping—demonstrate how religious practices evolved over time and how sanctuaries functioned within broader networks of movement, communication, and ritual. By integrating traditional and innovative methods, this thesis highlights the multifaceted role of sacred landscapes in shaping ancient Greek life, and provides a framework for future archaeological and landscape studies in the Peloponnese.