an effusion of serum into the cellular tissues, occasioning a soft, pale, inelastic swelling.

ANASTASIUS I., Emperor of the East, and the successor of Zeno, was raised from obscurity to that exalted position by the Empress Ariadne, who married him on the fortieth day of her widowhood. His reign commenced auspiciously, but was afterwards disturbed by foreign and intestine wars, and by religious distractions. In the year 500 he was anathematized by pope Symmachus for his support of the Eutychians. He died in 518 at the age of nearly 90, leaving behind a name darkened by avarice, cruelty, and cowardice.

ANASTASIUS II., whose proper name was Artemius, was elevated from the humble situation of a secretary to the throne of Constantinople, by the free voice of the senate and Roman people, A.D. 713. His natural talents, improved by education and daily exertion, enabled him to manage with great prudence the affairs of the empire during the time that he was secretary to his predecessor Philippicus. The Saracens had made inroads upon Asia Minor in the beginning of his reign; but he sent a strong army to the frontiers of Syria for its protection, under the command of Leo the Isaurian, a man of great military experience. These enemies of the empire also meditated the design of taking Constantinople; but the vigilance of Anastasius defeated their purpose, by providing a formidable naval force, repairing and strengthening the walls of the city, and by forcing all the inhabitants either to provide themselves with provisions for three years, or instantly to depart from the city. Disappointed in their design, the enemy's fleet sailed to Phoenicia, and the imperial fleet assembled at Rhodes to watch the motions of the enemy. But the measures of the emperor received a severe check from the conduct of the sailors, who ANASTASIIUS raised a mutiny, and slew their admiral for no other cause than his honourable endeavours to maintain proper discipline in the fleet. Justly dreading severe punishment, the scummen raised the standard of rebellion, declared Anastasius unworthy to reign, and conferred the purple upon one Theodosius, a person of mean birth. Informed of this sedition, Anastasius fled from his tottering throne to Nice. The new emperor hastened to besiege Constantinople, which, after a vigorous resistance of six months, was reduced to subjection. The late emperor being assured of his life, abandoned his claim to the crown, assumed the character of a monk, and was banished to Thessalonica, having worn the purple only during the space of two years. Having, however, prevailed upon the Bulgarians to espouse his cause, he laid aside the habit of the monk for that of the warrior, and, in the year 721, in the time of the Emperor Leo, he resumed his claim to the throne. A numerous army of these barbarians hastened to the capital; but being unable to reduce it, they delivered up the unhappy Anastasius to the emperor, who put him to death, along with his principal associates.