"Familiar as is the name of the Antilles, few are aware of the antiquity of the word; while its precise significance sets etymology at defiance. Common consent identified the Antilia of legend with the Isle of the Seven Cities. In the year 734, says the story, the Arabs having conquered most of the Spanish peninsula, a number of Christian emigrants, under the direction of seven holy bishops, among them the archbishop of Oporto, sailed westward with all that they had, and reached an island where they founded seven towns. Arab geographers speak of an Atlantic island called in Arabic El-tennyn, or Al-tin (Isle of Serpents), a name which may possibly have become by corruption Antilia. ... The seven bishops were believed in the 16th century to be still represented by their successors, and to preside over a numerous and wealthy people. Most geographers of the 15th century believed in the existence of Antilia. It was represented as lying west of the Azores. ... As soon as it became known in Europe that Columbus had discovered a large island, Española was at once identified with Antilia, ... and the name ... has ever since been applied generally to the West Indian islands." _E. J. Payne, History of the New World called America, volume 1, page 98._ See, also, WEST INDIES. {117} ANTINOMIAN CONTROVERSY IN PURITAN MASSACHUSETTS. See MASSACHUSETTS: A. D. 1636-1638. ANTIOCH: Founding of the City. See SELEUCIDÆ; and MACEDONIA, &c.: B. C. 310-301. ANTIOCH: A. D. 36-400. The Christian Church. See CHRISTIANITY, EARLY. ANTIOCH: A. D. 115. Great Earthquake. "Early in the year 115, according to the most exact chronology, ... the splendid capital of Syria was visited by an earthquake, one of the most disastrous apparently of all the similar inflictions from which that luckless city has periodically suffered. ... The calamity was enhanced by the presence of unusual crowds from all the cities of the east, assembled to pay homage to the Emperor [Trajan], or to take part in his expedition [of conquest in the east]. Among the victims were many Romans of distinction. ... Trajan, himself, only escaped by creeping through a window." _C. Merivale, History of the Romans, chapter 65._ ANTIOCH: A. D. 260. Surprise, massacre and pillage by Sapor, King of Persia. See PERSIA: A. D. 226-627. ANTIOCH: A. D. 526. Destruction by Earthquake. During the reign of Justinian (A. D. 518-565) the cities of the Roman Empire "were overwhelmed by earthquakes more frequent than at any other period of history. Antioch, the metropolis of Asia, was entirely destroyed, on the 20th of May, 526, at the very time when the inhabitants of the adjacent country were assembled to celebrate the festival of the Ascension; and it is affirmed that 250,000 persons were crushed by the fall of its sumptuous edifices."