Gli Arcadi ‘mangiatori di ghiande’ (Hdt. 1.66). Un responso oracolare di origine tegeate?

This essay focuses on the response to the Spartans’ consultation concerning the conquest of Arcadia. The Pythia rules out the submission of the whole region but seems to promise success in Tegea, uttering a prophecy which ultimately proves misleading. One term used by the oracle deserves particular attention: why are the Arcadians called ‘acorn eaters’ (balanephagoi)? An analysis of the term’s occurrences in other ancient sources frames it as an allusion to the Arcadians’ ‘primitive’ strength and brings to light a local tradition about the Tegeans’ great victory over formidable nearby enemies.