Amyclæ. An ancient town of Laconia, on the right bank of the Eurotas, famous as one of the most celebrated cities of the Peloponnesus in the heroic age. It is said to have been the abode of Castor and Pollux. This town was conquered by the Spartans about 775 B.C.
Anabash. In antiquity, were expeditious couriers, who carried dispatches of great importance in the Roman wars.
Anacara. A sort of drum used by the Oriental cavalry.
Anacleticum. In the ancient art of war, a particular blast of the trumpet, whereby the fearful and flying soldiers were rallied to the combat.
Anah. A city in Asiatic Turkey, which was captured and devastated in 1807 by the Wahabites, who were a warlike Mohammedan reforming sect.
Anam, or Annam, Empire of. Also called Cochin China, an empire in Southeastern Asia, which became involved in a war with France (1858-62), concluded by a treaty by which the emperor of Anam ceded the provinces of Cochin China, Saigon, Bienhoa, and Mytho to France. Subsequently three other provinces were annexed to France in 1867.
Anapa. A city in Circassia which was fortified by the Turks in 1784; stormed and taken by the Russians in 1791.
Anarchy. Want of government; the state of society where there is no law or supreme power, or where the laws are not efficient, and individuals do what they please with impunity; political confusion; hence, confusion in general.
Anatha. A fort on an island of the Euphrates; taken by Julian the Apostate in 363.
Anatolia, Nadoli, or Natolia. The modern name of Asia Minor, a peninsula in the most western territory of Asia, extending northward from the Mediterranean to the Euxine, or Black Sea, and eastward from the Grecian Archipelago to the banks of the Euphrates. It is a part of the Turkish dominions, and was in ancient times the seat of powerful kingdoms and famous cities.