Bible Encyclopedias
Anactoron

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Search for…

Enter query below:

or

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Prev Entry
Anaclitus II, Antipope

Next Entry
Anactotelestae

Resource Toolbox

Print Article

(ἀνάκτορον, from ἀνάκτωρ, a sovereign), the dwelling of a king or ruler. In classical authors, it is generally a house of a god, especially a temple of the Eleusinian Demeter or of the Dioscuri; also, the innermost recess of a temple, in which oracles were given (Lobeck, Aglaoph. 1, 59, 62). Eusebius (Panegyr. c. 9) applies the word to the church built by Constantine at Antioch; but whether as equivalent to basilica, or with reference to the unusual size and splendor of the church, or with a reminiscence of the classical use of the word, it is difficult to say (Bingham, Christ. Ant. bk. 8, ch. i, § 5).