Ararat, Mountain

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Ararat, Arat, by the Armenians call'd Mesesousar, or the Mountain of the Ark, by the Persians Agri; is a part of the Caspian Mountains near Erivan in Armenia, and the most renowned of all others, for sustaining the Ark of Noah, after the Universal Deluge. It exceeds in height Caucasus and Taurus, carrying its head into the temperate Region, whilst some of the lower part of it is covered with continual Snow. Every 5 Leagues upwards, the Christians have built a little Hermitage, where the curious Traveller may be refreshed. They will tell you there is a Cell, and ordinarily a Hermite in it, upon the highest Top, who lives as a Recluse for his Life. But the story of Noah's Ark remaining uncorrupted and entire to this day, by reason of the temperature of the Air, which the said Hermite shews you, I suppose is grounded upon as good an Authority.