Encyclopaedia Britannica Volume 2, Slice 2 Part 18

AUTHORITIES.--See, for the progress of the idea in Jewish and New Testament times, the modern commentaries on Revelation and the 2nd Epistle to the Thessalonians; Bousset, _Antichrist_ (1895), and the article "Antichrist" in the _Encyclop. Biblica_; R.H. Charles, _Ascension of Isaiah_, Introduction, li.-lxxiii. For the history of the legend of Nero, see J. Geffcken, _Nachrichten der Gottinger Gesellschaft der Wisscnschaft_ (1899), p. 446 &c.; Th. Zahn, _Zeitschrift fur kirchliche Wissenschaft und kirchliches Leben_ (1886), p. 337 &c.; Bousset, _Kritisch-exegetisches Kommentar zur Offenbarung Johannis_, cap. 17, and the article "Sibyllen" in Herzog-Hauck, _Realencyklopadie fur Theologie und Kirche_ (3rd ed.), xviii. 265 &c.; Nordmeyer, _Der Tod Neros in der Legende_, a _Festschrift_ of the Gymnasium of Moos. For the later history of the legend, see Bousset, _Antichrist_, where will be found a more detailed discussion of nearly all the sources named; Bousset, "Beitrage zur Geschichte der Eschatologie," in _Zeitschrift fur Kirchengeschichte_, xx. 2, and especially xx. 3, on the later Byzantine prophecies; Va.s.siliev, _Anecdota Graeco-Byzantina_, i. (Moscow, 1893), which gives the texts of a series of Byzantine prophecies; E. Sackur, _Sibyllinische Texte und Forschungen_ (1898), containing (i) _Pseudo-Methodius_, Latin text, (2) _Epistola Adsonis_, (3) the _Tiburtine Sibylla_; V. Istrin, _The Apocalypse of Methodius of Patara and the Apocryphal Visions of Daniel in Byzantine and Slavo-Russian Literature_, Russian (Moscow, 1897); J. Kampers, _Die deutsche Kaiseridee in Prophetie und Sage_ (Munich, 1896), and "Alexander der Grosse und die Idee des Weltimperiums," in H. Grauert's _Studien und Darstellungen aus dem Gebiet der Geschichte_, vol. i. 2-3 (Freiburg, 1901); E. Wadstein, _Die eschatologische Ideengruppe, Antichrist, Weltsabbat, Weltende und Welgericht_ (Leipzig, 1896), which contains excellent material for the history of the idea in the West during the middle ages; W. Meyer, "Ludus de Antichristo," in _Sitzberichl der Munchener Akad._ (Phil. hist. Kla.s.se 1882, H. i.); Kropatschek, _Das Schriftprincip der lutherischen Kirche_, i. 247 &c. (Leipzig, 1904); H. Preuss, _Die Vorstellungen vom Antichrist im spateren Mittelalter, bei Luther u. i. d. Konfessionellen Polemik_ (Leipzig, 1906).

(W. Bo.)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] See further, Bousset, _Religion des Judentums_, ed. ii. pp. 289 &c., 381 &c., 585 &c.

[2] See Gunkel, _Schopfung und Chaos_ (1893).

[3] It is, of course, uncertain whether this phenomenon already occurs in 2 Cor. vi. 15, since here Belial might still be Satan; cf.

however, _Ascensio Jesaiae_ iv. 2 &c.; _Sibyll_. iii. 63 &c., ii. 167 &c.

[4] It is not necessary to decide whether the epistle is by St Paul or by a pupil of Paul, although the former seems to the present writer to be by far the more probable, in spite of the brilliant attack on the genuineness of the epistle by Wrede in _Texte und ubersetzungen_, N.F. ix. 2.

[5] Cf. 2 Thess. ii. 8; the Targum also, in its comment on the pa.s.sage of Isaiah, applies "the wicked" to Antichrist.

[6] See Bousset, _Kommentar zur Offenbarung Johannis_, on these pa.s.sages.

[7] _Ibid._ ch. xvii.: and Charles, _Ascension of Isaiah_, lvii. sq.

[8] Harnack, _Chronologie der altchristlichen Literatur_, i. 573

[9] See Bousset, in Herzog-Hauck, _Realencyklop. fur Theologie und Kirsche_ (ed. 3), xviii. 273 &c.

[10] Latin text by Sackur, cf. _op. cit._ 1 &c.; Greek text by V.

Istrin.

[11] See Bousset, _Zeitschrift fur Kirchengeschichte_, xx. p. 289 &c.

[12] Published in Merx, _Archiv zur Erforschung des Alten Testament_.

[13] See especially the _Ludus de Antichristo_, ed. W. Meyer.

ANTICLIMAX (i.e. the opposite to "climax"), in rhetoric, an abrupt declension (either deliberate or unintended) on the part of a speaker or writer from the dignity of idea which he appeared to be aiming at; as in the following well-known distich:--

"The great Dalhousie, he, the G.o.d of war, _Lieutenant-colonel to the earl of Mar_."

An anticlimax can be intentionally employed only for a jocular or satiric purpose. It frequently partakes of the nature of ant.i.thesis, as--

"Die and endow a _college_ or a _cat_."

It is often difficult to distinguish between "anticlimax" and "bathos"; but the former is more decidedly a relative term. A whole speech may never rise above the level of bathos; but a climax of greater or less elevation is the necessary antecedent of an anticlimax.

ANTICOSTI, an island of the province of Quebec, Canada, situated in the Gulf of St Lawrence, between 49 and 50 N., and between 61 40' and 64 30' W., with a length of 135 m. and a breadth of 30 m. Population 250, consisting chiefly of the keepers of the numerous lighthouses erected by the Canadian government. The coast is dangerous, and the only two harbours, Ellis Bay and Fox Bay, are very indifferent. Anticosti was sighted by Jacques Cartier in 1534, and named a.s.somption. In 1763 it was ceded by France to Britain, and in 1774 became part of Canada. Wild animals, especially bears, are numerous, but prior to 1896 the fish and game had been almost exterminated by indiscriminate slaughter. In that year Anticosti and the sh.o.r.e fisheries were leased to M. Menier, the French chocolate manufacturer, who converted the island into a game preserve, and attempted to develop its resources of lumber, peat and minerals.

See Logan, _Geological Survey of Canada, Report of Progress from its Commencement to 1863_ (Montreal, 1863-1865); E. Billings, _Geological Survey of Canada: Catalogue of the Silurian Fossils of Anticosti_ (Montreal, 1866); J. Schmitt, _Anticosti_ (Paris, 1904).

ANTICYCLONE (i.e. opposite to a cyclone), an atmospheric system in which there is a descending movement of the air and a relative increase in barometric pressure over the part of the earth's surface affected by it.

At the surface the air tends to flow outwards in all directions from the central area of high pressure, and is deflected on account of the earth's rotation (see FERREL'S LAW) so as to give a spiral movement in the direction of the hands of a watch face upwards in the northern hemisphere, against that direction in the southern hemisphere. Since the air in an anticyclone is descending, it becomes warmed and dried, and therefore transmits radiation freely whether from the sun to the earth or from the earth into s.p.a.ce. Hence in winter anticyclonic weather is characterized by clear air with periods of frost, causing fogs in towns and low-lying damp areas, and in summer by still cloudless days with gentle variable airs and fine weather.

ANTICYRA, the ancient name of three cities of Greece, (1) (Mod.

_Aspraspitia_), in Phocis, on the bay of Anticyra, in the Corinthian gulf; some remains are still visible. It was a town of considerable importance in ancient times; was destroyed by Philip of Macedon; recovered its prosperity; and was captured by T. Quinctius Flamininus in 198 B.C. The city was famous for its black h.e.l.lebore, a herb which was regarded as a cure for insanity. This circ.u.mstance gave rise to a number of proverbial expressions, like [Greek: Antikuras se dei] or "naviget Anticyram," and to frequent allusions in the Greek and Latin writers.

h.e.l.lebore was likewise considered beneficial in cases of gout and epilepsy. (2) In Thessaly, on the right bank of the river Spercheus, near its mouth. (3) In Locris, on the north side of the entrance to the Corinthian gulf, near Naupactus.

ANTIETAM, the name of a Maryland creek, near which, on the 16th-17th of September 1862, was fought the battle of Antietam or Sharpsburg (see AMERICAN CIVIL WAR), between the Federals under McClellan and the Confederates commanded by Lee. General McClellan had captured the pa.s.ses of South Mountain farther east on the 14th, and his Army of the Potomac marched to meet Lee's forces which, hitherto divided, had, by the 16th, successfully concentrated between the Antietam and the Potomac. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia occupied a position which, in relation to the surrounding country, may be compared to the string of a bow in the act of being drawn, Lee's left wing forming the upper half of the string, his right the lower, and the Potomac in his rear the bow itself. The town of Sharpsburg represents the fingers of the archer drawing the bow. The right wing of the position was covered by the Antietam as it approaches the Potomac, the upper course of that stream formed no part of the battlefield. Generals Longstreet and Jackson commanded the right and left wings. The division of A.P. Hill was at Harper's Ferry, but had received orders to rejoin Lee. McClellan's troops appeared late on the 16th, and Hooker was immediately sent across the upper Antietam. He had a sharp fight with Jackson's men, but night soon put an end to the contest. Early on the 19th the corps of Sumner and Mansfield followed Hooker across the upper stream whilst McClellan's left wing (Burnside's corps) drew up opposite Lee's extreme right. The Federal leader intended to hold back his centre whilst these two forces were rolling up Lee's wings. The battle began with a furious a.s.sault on the extreme right by Hooker's corps. After a very severe struggle he was repulsed with the loss of a quarter of his men, Jackson's divisions suffering even more severely and losing nearly all their generals and colonels. It was only the arrival of Hood and D.H. Hill which enabled Stonewall Jackson's corps to hold its ground, and had the other Federal corps been at hand to support Hooker the result might have been very different. Mansfield next attacked farther to the left and with better fortune. Mansfield was killed, but his successor led the corps well, and after heavy fighting Hood and D.H. Hill were driven back. Again want of support checked the Federals and the fight became stationary, both sides losing many men. Sumner now came into action, and overhaste involved him in a catastrophe, his troops being attacked in front and flank and driven back in great confusion with nearly half their number killed and wounded; and their retreat involved the gallant remnants of Mansfield's corps. Soon afterwards the Federal divisions of French and Richardson attacked D.H. Hill, whose men were now exhausted by continuous fighting.

Here occurred the fighting in the "b.l.o.o.d.y Lane," north of Sharpsburg which French and Richardson eventually carried. Opposed as they were by D.H. Hill, whose men had fought the battle of South Mountain and had already been three times engaged _a fond_ on this day, proper support must have enabled the Federals to crush Lee's centre, but Franklin and Porter in reserve were not allowed by McClellan to move forward and the opportunity pa.s.sed. Burnside, on the southern wing, had received his orders late, and acted on them still later. The battle was over on the right before he fired a shot, and Lee had been able to use nearly all his right wing troops to support Jackson. At last Burnside moved forward, and, after a brilliant defence by the handful of men left to oppose him, forced the Antietam and began to roll up Lee's right, only to be attacked in rear himself by A.P. Hill's troops newly arrived from Harper's Ferry. The repulse of Burnside ended the battle. Pressure was brought to bear on McClellan to renew the fight, but he refused and Lee retired across the Potomac unmolested. The Army of the Potomac had lost 11,832 men out of 46,000 engaged; the cavalry and two corps in reserve had only lost 578. Lee's 31,200 men lost over 8000 of their number.

See the bibliography appended to AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, and also General Palfrey's _Antietam and Fredericksburg_.

ANTI-FEDERALISTS, the name given in the political history of the United States to those who, after the formation of the federal Const.i.tution of 1787, opposed its ratification by the people of the several states. The "party" (though it was never regularly organized as such) was composed of states rights, particularistic, individualistic and radical democratic elements; that is, of those persons who thought that a stronger government threatened the sovereignty and prestige of the states, or the special interests, individual or commercial, of localities, or the liberties of individuals, or who fancied they saw in the government proposed a new centralized, disguised "monarchic" power that would only replace the cast-off despotism of Great Britain. In every state the opposition to the Const.i.tution was strong, and in two--North Carolina and Rhode Island--it prevented ratification until the definite establishment of the new government practically forced their adhesion. The individualistic was the strongest element of opposition; the necessity, or at least the desirability, of a bill of rights was almost universally felt. Instead of accepting the Const.i.tution upon the condition of amendments,--in which way they might very likely have secured large concessions,--the Anti-Federalists stood for unconditional rejection, and public opinion, which went against them, proved that for all its shortcomings the Const.i.tution was regarded as preferable to the Articles of Confederation. After the inauguration of the new government, the composition of the Anti-Federalist party changed. The Federalist (q.v.) party gradually showed broad-construction, nationalistic tendencies; the Anti-Federalist party became a strict-construction party and advocated popular rights against the a.s.serted aristocratic, centralizing tendencies of its opponent, and gradually was transformed into the Democratic-Republican party, mustered and led by Thomas Jefferson, who, however, had approved the ratification of the Const.i.tution and was not, therefore, an Anti-Federalist in the original sense of that term.

See O.G. Libby, _Geographical Distribution of the Vote ... on the Federal Const.i.tution, 1787-1788_ (University of Wisconsin, Bulletin, 1894); S.B. Harding, _Contest over the Ratification of the Federal Const.i.tution in ... Ma.s.sachusetts_ (Harvard University Studies, New York, 1896); and authorities on political and const.i.tutional history in the article UNITED STATES.

ANTIGO, a city and the county-seat of Langlade county, Wisconsin, U.S.A., about 160 m. N.W. of Milwaukee. Pop. (1890) 4424; (1900) 5145, of whom 965 were foreign-born; (1905) 6663; (1910) 7196. It is served by the Chicago & North Western railway. Antigo is the centre of a good farming and lumbering district, and its manufactures consist princ.i.p.ally of lumber, chairs, furniture, sashes, doors and blinds, hubs and spokes, and other wood products. The city has a Carnegie library. Antigo was first settled in 1880, and was chartered as a city in 1885. Its name is said to be part of an Indian word, _neequee-antigo-sebi_, meaning "evergreen."

ANTIGONE, (1) in Greek legend, daughter of Oedipus and Iocaste (Jocasta), or, according to the older story, of Euryganeia. When her father, on discovering that Iocaste, the mother of his children, was also his own mother, put his eyes out and resigned the throne of Thebes, she accompanied him into exile at Colonus. After his death she returned to Thebes, where Haemon, the son of Creon, king of Thebes, became enamoured of her. When her brothers Eteocles and Polyneices had slain each other in single combat, she buried Polyneices, although Creon had forbidden it. As a punishment she was sentenced to be buried alive in a vault, where she hanged herself, and Haemon killed himself in despair.

Her character and these incidents of her life presented an attractive subject to the Greek tragic poets, especially Sophocles in the _Antigone_ and _Oedipus at Colonus_, and Euripides, whose _Antigone_, though now lost, is partly known from extracts incidentally preserved in later writers, and from pa.s.sages in his _Phoenissae_. In the order of the events, at least, Sophocles departed from the original legend, according to which the burial of Polyneices took place while Oedipus was yet in Thebes, not after he had died at Colonus. Again, in regard to Antigone's tragic end Sophocles differs from Euripides, according to whom the calamity was averted by the intercession of Dionysus and was followed by the marriage of Antigone and Haemon. In Hyginus's version of the legend, founded apparently on a tragedy by some follower of Euripides, Antigone, on being handed over by Creon to her lover Haemon to be slain, was secretly carried off by him, and concealed in a shepherd's hut, where she bore him a son Maeon. When the boy grew up, he went to some funeral games at Thebes, and was recognized by the mark of a dragon on his body. This led to the discovery that Antigone was still alive. Heracles pleaded in vain with Creon for Haemon, who slew both Antigone and himself, to escape his father's vengeance. On a painted vase the scene of the intercession of Heracles is represented (Heydermann, _uber eine nacheuripideische Antigone_, 1868). Antigone placing the body of Polyneices on the funeral pile occurs on a sarcophagus in the villa Pamfili in Rome, and is mentioned in the description of an ancient painting by Philostratus (_Imag._ ii. 29), who states that the flames consuming the two brothers burnt apart, indicating their unalterable hatred, even in death.

(2) A second Antigone was the daughter of Eurytion, king of Phthia, and wife of Peleus. Her husband, having accidentally killed Eurytion in the Calydonian boar hunt, fled and obtained expiation from Acastus, whose wife made advances to Peleus. Finding that her affection was not returned, she falsely accused Peleus of infidelity to his wife, who thereupon hanged herself (Apollodorus, iii. 13).

ANTIGONUS CYCLOPS (or MONOPTHALMOS; so called from his having lost an eye) (382-301 B.C.), Macedonian king, son of Philip, was one of the generals of Alexander the Great. He was made governor of Greater Phrygia in 333, and in the division of the provinces after Alexander's death (323) Pamphylia and Lycia were added to his command. He incurred the enmity of Perdiccas, the regent, by refusing to a.s.sist Eumenes (q.v.) to obtain possession of the provinces allotted to him. In danger of his life he escaped with his son Demetrius into Greece, where he obtained the favour of Antipater, regent of Macedonia (321); and when, soon after, on the death of Perdiccas, a new division took place, he was entrusted with the command of the war against Eumenes, who had joined Perdiccas against the coalition of Antipater, Antigonus, and the other generals. Eumenes was completely defeated, and obliged to retire to Nora in Cappadocia, and a new army that was marching to his relief was routed by Antigonus. Polyperchon succeeding Antipater (d. 319) in the regency, to the exclusion of Ca.s.sander, his son, Antigonus resolved to set himself up as lord of all Asia, and in conjunction with Ca.s.sander and Ptolemy of Egypt, refused to recognize Polyperchon. He entered into negotiations with Eumenes; but Eumenes remained faithful to the royal house. Effecting his escape from Nora, he raised an army, and formed a coalition with the satraps of the eastern provinces. He was at last delivered up to Antigonus through treachery in Persia and put to death (316). Antigonus again claimed authority over the whole of Asia, seized the treasures at Susa, and entered Babylonia, of which Seleucus was governor. Seleucus fled to Ptolemy, and entered into a league with him (315), together with Lysimachus and Ca.s.sander. After the war had been carried on with varying success from 315 to 311, peace was concluded, by which the government of Asia Minor and Syria was provisionally secured to Antigonus. This agreement was soon violated on the pretext that garrisons had been placed in some of the free Greek cities by Antigonus, and Ptolemy and Ca.s.sander renewed hostilities against him. Demetrius Poliorcetes, the son of Antigonus, wrested part of Greece from Ca.s.sander. At first Ptolemy had made a successful descent upon Asia Minor and on several of the islands of the Archipelago; but he was at length totally defeated by Demetrius in a naval engagement off Salamis, in Cyprus (306). On this victory Antigonus a.s.sumed the t.i.tle of king, and bestowed the same upon his son, a declaration that he claimed to be the heir of Alexander. Antigonus now prepared a large army, and a formidable fleet, the command of which he gave to Demetrius, and hastened to attack Ptolemy in his own dominions. His invasion of Egypt, however, proved a failure; he was unable to penetrate the defences of Ptolemy, and was obliged to retire. Demetrius now attempted the reduction of Rhodes, which had refused to a.s.sist Antigonus against Egypt; but, meeting with obstinate resistance, he was obliged to make a treaty upon the best terms that he could (304). In 302, although Demetrius was again winning success after success in Greece, Antigonus was obliged to recall him to meet the confederacy that had been formed between Ca.s.sander, Seleucus and Lysimachus. A decisive battle was fought at Ipsus, in which Antigonus fell, in the eighty-first year of his age.