eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

‘Nature’ is a disembodied landscape. It may be analysed, viewed under a microscope, and
described in detail and the mechanisms at work may be understood, but this does not disclose
a whole range of other ways in which the world is engaged with, of which we are part. It is
only ‘nature’ because humans have categorised it as such; human beings have determined
relevant characteristics. The idea of ‘taskscape’ allows an appreciation of the way in which
‘landscape’ becomes through us. Elements of the landscape present themselves at different
times, through our actions within it. Also useful for understanding landscape in a similar way
is the concept of ‘lifeworld’ developed by a number of theorists (e.g. Agre & Horswill 1997;
Habermas 1981; Husserl 1970). Although each definition differs from the other, they are all
based on the notion that a ‘lifeworld’ is borne of bodily experience, praxis in the world.
Likewise Bourdieu’s (1977) ‘habitus’ contains the notion of experience as being particularly
embodied: that it is through physical action that we come to know the world, not through
conceptual schemata
3.2.4: Arkadian Landscapes
How do these ideas relate to a study of landscape in Arkadia? As outlined above, the
physicality of the landscape is crucial in applying a phenomenologically inspired approach,
thus in the first instance, an area of Arkadia has to be defined in order to discuss the physical
characteristics. It may seem redundant to set upon establishing the boundaries of an area
existing today and which, as a consequence, has parameters already in place. However, even
though Arkadia is, and always has been, situated in the central Peloponnese, attempting to
delineate the exact area is not as simple as it may at first appear. In fact, where and when the
name Arkadia can be applied to a coherent region is a much-debated issue in itself (e.g.
Nielsen & Roy 1999). The boundaries have fluctuated numerous times, and as such, the
contemporary geopolitical and administrative district of Arkadia does not correspond exactly
to that described in the ancient sources. The modern region of Arkadia occupies a relatively
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