Erivan, City

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

Erivan or Irivan, a noble City of Armenia, upon the Frontiers of Persia. It is built upon a Rock, at whose foot the River Zenguey glides to the North-West, and the Que•rk boutak, or River of forty fountains, to the South-West; the former being here passed by a fine Stone Bridge. In a good Air and a fruitful Soil, for Wine especially; adorned with divers Churches, a magnificent Palace for the Governour, and very commodious Caravanseras for Travellers; about one hundred paces from the Old Erivan (which was ruined in the Wars of the Turks and Persians), and kept garrisoned with two thousand men. The Armenians have a Tradition amongst them, that this was the Seat of Paradise, and the habitation of Noah before and after the Deluge. In the year 1584 the Turks took it, and built it that stately For•re•s we now see there. The Persians recovered it in 1604. The Turks retook it in 1629. The Persians recovered it again in 1635. It is the Capital of a large adjacent Territory.

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

Erivan, a City of Armenia, or Turcomannia, upon the Frontiers of Turkey and Persia. The Old City being ruin'd by the Wars between the Turks and Persians, the New one was built 800 Paces beyond it, upon a Rock; at the foot of which run two Rivers, Zenguy to the North West, and Queark-boulack, or Forty-Fountains, to the South West. You cross the River Zanguy, over a fair Stone Bridge with three Arches; upon which are built certain Chambers, where the Governors sometimes spends his time in the heat of Summer. The Fortress looks like a little Town, inhabited by none but Natural Persians. The Armenians have their Shops in it, where they work and trade all Day; but shut-up in the Evening, and return into the City. The Garrison consists of 2000 Men. The Governor's Palace is in the Fort, very Magnificent; and in Summer-time very Delightful. A thousand Paces from the Castle stands a little Fort, call'd Queutchi-cala. There are several Churches in the City; of which the Chief are the Cathedral, and another call'd Catovike. Near the great Market-place stands Deuf-Sultan's Mosque; so called, from the Name of the Founder. The Meidan is a large square place, planted round with Trees, where they make their Publick Exercises and Divertisements. The Caravansera's, or Inns, are very Commodious, where the Merchants have their Lodging and Ware-houses for nothing. When any Caravan arrives at Erivan, the Governor is bound to give the King of Persia Notice: And if any Embassador arrive, he is Treated at the Governor's Charge; and convoy'd to the next Governor, who does the same. This is the place where all the Silk Merchants meet together, and where they pay a certain Custom call'd Raderi. The Air of Erivan is wholsom; but the Winter is somewhat tedious. Nevertheless, the Country is very fertile, and produces variety of Fruits in abundance; especially Wine, which is excellent and cheap. The Armenians have a Tradition, That Noah planted the Vine within a League of Erivan, and will undertake to shew you the Place. The Country affords great store of Partridge, and Fish in abundance, especially Carps and Trouts, much esteemed over all the East for their Taste and Largeness, of which some are three foot long. These Fish are taken not only in the Rivers, but in a Lake about 3 sma• ays Journey from the City, by the Persians called Deria-Chirin; by the Armenians, Kiagar-couni-sou; that is to say, the Sweet-Lake, 20 Leagues in compass, and very deep; with a small Island in the middle, where stands a Monastery, the Prior of which is an Archbishop, who assumes the Title of Patriarch, and will not acknowledge the Patriarch of the Armenians. It crosses one part of Armenia, and mixes with the Araxis near the Caspian-Sea. Erivan was Taken by the Turks in 1582. Re-taken by the Persians in 1604. In 1629. the Turks possessed themselves of it again; but were expell'd by Sophi, in 1635. Chardin, Tavernier.