spot where he first resided; I mean in respect to migration. The region about Ararat may be esteemed as nearly a central part of the earth; and it is certainly as well calculated as any other for the removal of colonies upon the increase of mankind. The Ethnic writers, in their accounts of the wanderings of Isis and Jonah, seem to allude to the journeying of mankind; and they speak of the country about Caucasus as the place from whence those travels began. The same is to be observed in the original history of the Minyæ, which is called the retreat of the Argonautæ: for they retire from the region about Caucasus to the remotest parts of the earth: and it is well known, that Ararat in Armenia is a part of that vast chain of mountains called Caucasus and Taurus. Upon these mountains, and in the adjacent country, were preserved more authentic accounts of the Ark, than almost in any other part of the world. Moses Chorenensis takes notice of the many memorials relating to antient times, which were preserved by the people of Armenia. They were commemorated in their poems, songs, and sacred hymns. 63 Cæterum veteres Armenii in carminibus suis, cantilenis ad cymbala, ac tripudiis, longè copiosiorem de his rebus (3 L. 1. c. 5. p. 19. mentionem agitant. The antient Armenians in their poems and hymns, which are accompanied with cymbals and dances, afford a far more copious account of these events than any other nation. The place where mankind first resided, was undoubtedly the region of the Minya, at the bottom of Mount Baris, or Luban, which was the Ararat of Moses. Here I imagine, that the Patriarch resided; and 4 Berosus mentions, that in this place he gave instructions to his children, and vanished from the sight of men. But the sacred writings are upon this head silent: they only mention his planting the vine, and seemingly taking up his abode for a long time upon the spot. Indeed, they do not afford us any reason to infer that he ever departed from it. The very plantation of the vine seems to imply a purpose of residence. Not a word is said of the Patriarch's ever quitting the place; nor of any of his sons departing from it, till the general migration. Many of the fathers were of opinion, that they did not for some ages quit this region. According to Epiphanius, they remained in the vicinity of Ararat for five generations, during the space of six hundred and fifty-nine years. 65 Μετα δε του 64 Apud Euseb. Chron. p. 8. es Hæres. 1. 1. p. 5. κατακλυσμού, επίφασης της λάρνακος τα Νωε εν τοις ορεσι τους Αραράτ, ανα μέσον Αρμενιων και Καρόντων, εν τω Λε βαρ ορει καλεμένῳ, εκείσε πρωτον οικησις γίνεται μετα τον κατακλυσμόν των ανθρωπων κακει φυτεύει αμπελωνα Νωε Γινονται δε τοις προφητης, οικίσης τε γίνεται τε τοπε. αυτά παισι παίδες, και παίδων παίδες, έως πέμπτης γενέας, ετων εξακοσίων πεντηκοντα εννέα. After the Ark upon the decrease of the waters had rested upon the mountains of Ararat, upon that particular eminence called Lubar, which bounds the countries of the Armenians and the Cardueans; the region where it settled became the first place occupied by mankind. Here the Patriarch Noah took up his residence, and planted the vine. In this place he saw a large progeny descend from him, children after children to the fifth generation, for the space of six hundred and fifty-nine years. 66 During the residence of mankind in these parts, we may imagine, that there was a season of great happiness. They for a long time lived under the mild rule of the great Patriarch, before laws were enacted or penalties known. When they multiplied, and were become very numerous, 66 The same is mentioned by this writer in another place. Πεμπτη γενεα μετα τον κατακλυσμον, πληθυνόντων άρτι των ανθρώπων απο το Λεβας της Αρμενίας, τοτ' εσιν Αραρατ της χώρας, γίνονται εν σχεδια Σενααρ. 1, 1. ρ. 6, it pleased God to allot to the various families different regions, to which they were to retire: and they accordingly, in the days of Peleg, did remove, and betake themselves to their different departments. But the sons of Chus would not obey. They went off under the conduct of the arch-rebel Nimrod; and seem to have been for a long time in a roving state; but at last they arrived at the plains of Shinar. These they found occupied by Assur and his sons: for he had been placed there by divine appointment. But they ejected him, and seized upon his dominions ; which they immediately fortified with cities, and laid the foundation of a great monarchy. Their leader is often mentioned by the Gentile writers, who call him Belus. He was a person of great impiety; who finding that the earth had been divided among the sons of men by a divine decree, thought proper to counteract the ordinance of God, and to make a different distribution. This is often alluded to in the Ethnic writings; and Abydenus particularly mentions, that 67 Belus appointed to the people their place of habitation. Dionysius refers to this Belus and his associates, when he is speaking of the deities, who were the ance tors of the Indo-Cuthites. 67 Xwgar ixasy atovsparta. Euseb. Præp. Evang. J. 9. p. 457. 68 εκληρώσαντο δ ̓ ἑκατῳ Μοιραν έχειν ποντοιο, και ηπειροιο βαθείης. They first alloted to each roving tribe This is the beginning of that period, which, upon account of the rebellion then first known, was by the Greek writers alluded to under the title of Exuipos, Scuthismus. This ejectment of Assur seems to shew, that these transactions were after the general migration; for he was in possession of the province allotted to him, till he was ejected by this lawless people. In the beginning of this history it is said, that they journeyed from the east, when they came to the land of Shinar. This was the latter part of their rout and the reason of their coming in this direction may, I think, be plainly shewn. The Ark, according to the best accounts, both sacred and profane, rested upon a mountain of Armenia, called Minyas, Baris, Lubar, and Ararat. Many families of the emigrants went probably directly east or west, in consequence of the situation to which they were appointed. But those who were 68 V. 1173. |