Araxes, River

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Araxes, a large and rapid River rising out of the Ararat Mountains of Armenia, which after it has been swell'd with several lesser Rivers and Torrents, falls at last into the Caspian Sea. Bridges have been built over it several times, but all the Art of Man could never make 'em strong enough to resist the violence of its Stream, wherefore Virgil 8 Aenaeid. gives it this Epithete: Et pontem indignatus Araxes. When the Snow melts from the Hills, there is no Mould or Dam but what its impetuosity will beat down before it, but when the Waters are low it may be foorded over upon Camels near to Esqui Julfa, where the Channel being broad, is neither too deep, nor the Stream over violent. Strab. Lib. 8.