Chrysoloras

(Δεμήτριος ὁ ὁ Χρυσόλωρας), a native of Thessalonica, was a Greek priest renowned as a theologian, philosopher, astronomer, and statesman. His uncommon talents procured him an introduction to John Cantacuzenus, formerly emperor (John VI.) and from 1355 a monk. Cantacuzenus recommended him to the emperor Manuel II. (1391-1425),bywhom he was employed in various important offices. Manuel sent him on several occasions as ambassador to foreign courts. One hundred letters which Chrysoloras wrote to that emperor are extant in MS. in the Bodleian, and in the Royal Library at Paris. Besides these letters, Chrysoloras wrote several treatises on religious subjects, entitled Διάλογοι, such as " Dialogus adversus Demetrium Cydonium, pro Nicolao Cabasila de Processione Spiritus Sancti;" " Dialogus contra Latinos;" " Encomium in S. Demetrium Martyrem ;" "Tractatus ex Libris Nili contra Latinos de Processione Spiritus Sancti;" "' Epistola ad Barlaamum de Processione Spiritus Sancti," extant in a Latin translation, probably made by the same Barlaam with his own refutation, in the Bibliotheca Patrum Coloniensis ;" Homiliæ de Transfiguratione Christi ;"" De Sepultura ;" " De Resurrectione ;" " De Annunciatione," &c., extant in MS. in different libraries in England and on the continent. " Disputatio coram Manuele Imperatore inter Demetrium Chrysoloram et Antonium Asculanum de Christi Verbis, Melius ei (Judae) esset si natus non fuisset," Ex version Georgii Trombae, Florence, 1618; it seems that the Greek text of this work is lost. (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. xi. p. 411, &c.; Cave, Hist. Lit. vol. ii. p. 520.) [W.P]

Μανουὴλ ὅ Χρυσόλωρας), one of the most learned Greeks of his time, contributed to the revival of Greek literature in western Europe.

Towards the close of the fourteenth century the Greek empire was in the greatest danger of being overthrown by sultan Bayazid II., who, however, was checked in his ambitious designs by Timur, and being taken prisoner by him, died in captivity. Before this event, and probably in A. D. 1389, Manuel Chrysoloras was sent by the emperor Manuel Palaeologus to some European kings (among others to the English), at whose courts he remained several years, endeavouring to persuade them to undertake a crusade against the Turks. His efforts, however, were unsuccessful, for the western princes had no confidence in the Greek emperor, nor in his promises to effect the union of the Greek with the Latin church. Having become acquainted with several of the most learned Italians, he accepted their proposition to settle in Italy and to lecture on the Greek language and literature. This he did with great success in Venice, Florence, Milan (1397), Pavia, and Rome: his most distinguished pupils were Leonardo Aretino, Leonardo Bruni, Poggio Bracciotini, Filelfo, Francisco Strozzi, and many more. His renown as a learned priest and eloquent orator were so great, that he was sent to the council of Constance, where he died a short time after his arrival, in the month of April, 1415. He was buried in the church of the Dominicans at Constance, and Aeneas Sylvius wrote his epitaph, which is given in the works cited below. Works

Manuel Chrysoloras was the author of several treatises on religious subjects, and a considerable number of letters on various topics, which are extaut in different libraries in Italy, France, Germany, and Sweden. Only two of his works have been printed, viz., 1. Epistolae III de Comparatione Veteris et Novae Romae

These letters are elegantly written. The first is rather prolix, and is addressed to the emperor John Palaeologus; the second to John Chrysoloras; and the third to Demetrius Chrysoloras. This John Chrysoloras, the contemporary of Manuel and Demetrius Chrysoloras, wrote some treatises and letters of little importance, several of which are extant in MS. Editions

The Greek text with a Latin version by Petrus Lambecius, appended to " Codices de Antiquitatibus Constantinop." Paris, 1665, fol. 2. Ἐρώτηματα sive Quaestiones (that is, Grammaticales)

This is a grammar of the Greek language, and one of the first that circulated in Italy. Editions

Printed probably for the first time in 1488, and frequently reprinted at the latter end of that century and the beginning of the next. Further Information

Fabric. Bibl. Graec. xi. p. 409, &c. [W.P]

A Greek scholar who is commonly regarded as having been the first to reintroduce Greek literature into Italy, in the fourteenth century. A native of Constantinople, he was sent by the Greek emperor John Palaeologus to Italy and England, in order to seek aid against the Turks. This mission, which was about the year 1390-91, made Chrysoloras known to many influential Italians; so that when, in 1397, he made his home in Florence as a teacher of Greek, he was received with much consideration. Poggio Bracciolini, Leonardo Bruno, Filelfo, Guarino Guarini, and many other scholars whose names are associated with the Renaissance, were pupils of Chrysoloras, who later engaged in the public service under the popes Gregory XII. and John XXIII. By order of the latter, he attended the Council of Constance, where he died, April 15th, 1415. Two of his works have been printed: the Ἐρωτήματα, for some time the only Greek grammar used in Western Europe; and Epistolae III. de Comparatione Veteris et Novae Romae. A number of others, however, still exist in MS. His son, Iohannes Chrysoloras, was also noted as a teacher of Greek.