ARAXES, now the ARAS, a river of Armenia Major, which takes its rise in a mountain called Albor, where the Euphrates also hath its origin. From this mountain it runs eastward with a serpentine course, discharging itself into the Caspian sea, after a run of upwards of 500 miles, during which it receives some considerable rivers. Some have imagined that it hath its rise in mount Ararat; but Tournefort assures us that it comes no nearer that mountain than 12 miles. The Araxes is a very rapid river, and is supposed to be the Gihon mentioned by Moses. Besides this extreme rapidity, it is very apt to overflow after rains; so that they have in vain endeavoured to build bridges over it; tho' some of them appear, from the few arches remaining, to have been built of the best materials, and in the strongest manner. Such is the vehemence of its current after the thawing of the adjacent snows, or some fierce rains, that neither banks nor dykes can resist it; so that nothing can be more terrible than the noise and violence of its waves at such times: but in winter, when its waters are low, it is fordable in some places on camels.
ARBACES governed Media under Sardanapalus. Seeing him spinning among a company of his women, he stirred up his people to revolt, and dethroned Sardanapalus; who thereupon burnt himself in his palace. Arbaces being crowned, began the monarchy of the Medes, which lasted 317 years under nine kings, till Allyages was expelled by Cyrus. Arbaces reigned 22 years, and died a. m. 3206.