Note 46 — II. HERE FOLLOWETH CONCERNING ARMENIA.

The name of the province and town of Nakhcheván, east of Ararat, signifies “first place of descent, or of lodging.” The antiquity of the tradition is proved by the fact, that Josephus affirms that the Armenians call the place where the Ark rested “the place of descent;” whilst Ptolemy supplies the name of Naxuana. (Smith and Dwight, p. 255.)

The place alluded to by Jordanus appears to be Arguri, the only village upon Ararat. Here Noah is said to have built his altar on the exact spot now occupied by the church, and it is of the vineyards of Arguri that the Scripture is believed to speak when it is said that “Noah began to be an husbandman, and planted a vineyard.” The church is of unascertained but remote date; and the name of the place signifies (Argh-urri) “He planted the vine.” (Parrot, p. 122.) At Nakhcheván “the grapes were almost unequalled in excellence, and seemed to deserve the honour of growing on the spot.” (Smith and Dwight, p. 256.) Arguri was buried by an earthquake, accompanied by volcanic indications, July 2nd, 1840. (Smith’s Dict. of the Bible, Art. Ararat.)