or Mount of Olives, in Ancient Geography, was situated to the east of the city of Jerusalem, and parted from the city only by the brook Kidron, and by the valley of Jehoshaphat, which stretches out from the north to the south. It was upon this mount that Solomon built temples to the gods of the Ammonites (1 Kings xi. 7.) and of the Moabites, out of complaisance to his wives, who were natives of these nations. Hence it is that the mount of Olives is called the mountain of corruption (2 Kings xxiii. 13.). Josephus says, that this mountain is at the distance of five itada, or furlongs, from Jerusalem, which make 625 geometrical paces, or the length of a Sabbath day's journey, says St Luke (Acts i. 12.). The mount of Olives had three summits, or was composed of three several mountains, ranged one after another from north to south. The middle summit is that from whence our Saviour ascended into heaven. It was upon that towards the south that Solomon built temples to his idols. The summit which is most to the north is distant two furlongs from the middlemost. This is the highest of the three, and is commonly called Galilee.

In the time of King Uzziah, the mount of Olives was so shattered by an earthquake, that half of the earth that was on the western side fell down, and rolled four furlongs or 500 paces from thence, towards the mountain which was opposite to it on the east; so that the earth blocked up the highways, and covered the king's gardens.

Mr Maundrell tells us that he and his company going out of Jerusalem at St Stephen's gate, and crossing the valley of Jehoshaphat, began immediately to ascend the mountain; that being got above two-thirds of the way up, they came to certain grottoes cut with intricate windings and caverns under ground, which were called the sepulchres of the prophets; that a little higher up were twelved arched vaults under ground, standing side by side, and built in memory of the apostles, who are said to have compiled their creed in this place; that 60 paces higher they came to the place where Christ is said to have uttered his prophecy concerning the final destruction of Jerusalem; and a little on the right hand, to another, where he is said to have dictated a second time the Lord's prayer to his disciples; that somewhat higher is the cave of a saint called Pelagia; a little above that, a pillar denoting the place where an angel gave the Blessed Virgin three days warning of her death; and at the top of all, the place of our blessed Lord's ascension.