in Ancient Geography, a river of Laconia, which rises in the mountains separating that country from Arcadia, and, after traversing through its whole length the great valley formed by Mount Parnon on the east and Taygetus on the west, falls into the Laconian Gulf. Before it received the name of Eurotas it was known as the Bonycas, and afterwards as the Himercus. Its modern name during the upper part of its course is Iris or Niris; from the town of Sparta to the sea it is known as the Vasilipotamo or King-river.