Nicarete

(Νικαρέτη).

1. The mother of that Euxitheus, whose right of citizenship Demosthenes defended against Eubulides. (Dem. p. 1320, ed. Reiske.)

2. A courtezan, and proprietress of courtezans, amongst others of Neaera, against whom we have an oration of Demosthenes, Κατὰ Νέαιρας. Athenaeus (xiii. p. 593f) mentions her, but a comparison of his statements with those of Demosthenes (especially p. 1351, ed. Reiske) will show that, if the text be correct, he has misrepresented the statements of the orator.

3. A woman of Megara. Athenaeus states her to have been of good family and education, and to have been a disciple of Stilpo, a dialectic philosopher, who was alive B. C. 299. Diogenes Laertius states that she was Stilpo's mistress, though he had a wife. (Athen. 13.596e; D. L. 2.114.) Fabricius Bibl. Graec. vol. iii. p. 628) states, on the authority of Laertius, that Nicarete was the mother-in-law of Simmias, a Syracusan. Laertius, however, only I. c.) mentions Stilpo's daughter as the wife of Simmias, but gives no hint as to who was her mother. [W.M.G]

(Νικαρέτη), St., a lady of good family and fortune, born at Nicomedeia in Bithynia, renowned for her piety and benevolence, and also for the numerous cures which her medical skill enabled her to perform gratuitously. She suffered great hardships during a sort of persecution that was carried on against the followers of St. Chrysostom after his expulsion from Constantinople, A. D. 404. (Sozom. Hist. Eccles. 8.23; Niceph. Callist. List. Eccles. 13.25.) She has been canonized by the Romish Church, and her memory is celebrated on December 27 llarttr. Rom.). Bzovius Noomencl. Sanctor. Profess. 31adic.) and after him C. B. Carpzovius De Medicis ab Eccles. p1ro Sanctis habit.) think it possible that Nicarete may be the lady mentioned by St. Chrysostom, as having restored him to health by her medicines Epist. ad Olymp. 4. vol. ii. p. 571, ed. Bened.), but this conjecture is founded on a faulty reading that is now amended. (See note to the passage referred to.) [W.A.G]