(the modern Morea), a celebrated peninsula, forming one of the great general divisions of ancient Greece, was situated to the S. of Greece Proper. Owing to its peculiar form and position, it came to be regarded under several curious aspects. The old Greeks, considering it an island, and using the name of the mythical king of Pisa, called it the Isle of Pelops. Strabo and other classical writers likened it to the leaf of a vine or plane tree. On account of its natural facilities for defence, it was likewise named the Acropolis of Greece. The Peloponnesus was divided into six provinces: Arcadia in the middle, Achaia on the N., Elis on the W., Argolis on the E., and Messenia and Laconia on the S. The history and physical geography of the peninsula are given under the heads of these several states. (See also GREECE, and Leake's Morea.) A work entitled Peloponnesus—Notes of Study and Travel, by W. G. Clark, M.A., appeared in London, 1858.