EUROTAS (river in Laconia)
River of Peloponnese, Greece
- Kind of place
- River
- Region
- Laconia
- Where
- 37.22° N, 22.35° E
The river is described as having lovely, deep-flowing waters that are green with reeds. Euripides, Helen 330-361 Paris carried Helen away from the reedy banks of this river. Euripides, Iphigenia in Aulis 164-184 The Eurotas is described as a rough and turbulent river that nurtures swans in its waters. Statius, Thebaid 10.495-523 ¶1
Described in the sources
The river is located in Laconia near its outfall. Quintus 10 ¶10 +2 Waters swallowed near Asea in Arcadia spring forth to form the Eurotas and the Alpheus. Pausanias 8.54.2 +1 The combined streams flow together in a common channel for about twenty stades before dropping into a chasm. Pausanias 8.44.4 +1 The river resurfaces within the territory of Lacedaemon. Pausanias 8.44.4 Spartan maidens weep in their homes located on the banks of this river. Euripides, Hecuba 648-657 The river is the location where Polydeukes and Kastor's spear are honoured. Pindar, Isthmian 4 ¶7 Castor enters the shallow waters of this river while riding a panting horse. Statius, Achilleid 1.174-200 ¶2 The river's reed-fringed banks were the site of youthful training activities. Euripides, Helen 191-210 The turbulent Eurotas river heard the signal sent from the heights of Cithaeron. Statius, Thebaid 1.94-119 ¶2 The Eurotas is the location where the Lacedaemonian Stars ran their double courses. Callimachus, Hymn 5 ¶1
Stories and history
The river was described as being in a state of burning or scorching. Ovid Met. 2.1-303 (11) The river was affected by the intense heat caused by Phaethon's chariot. Ovid Met. 2.1-303 (11) The Eurotas river suffered foul reproach due to the actions of Helen of Sparta. Euripides, The Trojan Women 122-152 A fable claims crowns cast into the shared channel appear in the Eurotas based on charms. Strabo 6.2.9 An emblematic statue of the river was created by the artist Eutychides in a style described as appearing more flowing than the river's actual waters. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 34.19 ¶14