The Arcadian lifestyle is an entire concept which decisively influenced the west from the times of Virgil until the Renaissance. Even today, it is associated with carefree life in beautiful natural environment.
“The shepherds of Arcadia” is a Renaissance painting of Poussin which shows the tomb of a shepherd on which the phrase “Et in Arcadia ego” is inscribed. Virgil cites Arcadia as a place of freedom favouring carefree pastoral lifestyle. The Arcadian ideal still reigns and encourages nostalgic contemplation. The Arcadian lifestyle expresses the dream of escape from the troubled world of violence and injustice and the fervent wish to return to innocence, youthfulness, serenity, cooperation, love and emulation.