Nicetas

(Νικήτας), Byzantine writers.

1. Acominatus (Ἀκομινάτος), also called Choniates, because he was a native of Chonae, formerly Colossae, in Phrygia, one of the most important Byzantine historians, was born about the middle of the twelfth century, and was descended from a noble and distinguished family. The emperor Isaac II. Angelus (1185-1195) appointed him governor of Philippopolis, at a period when the revolt of the Bulgarians, and the approach of the emperor Frederic I. of Germany, with an army of 150,000 men (1189), devolved most important duties upon the governors of the large towns in Thrace. Nicetas also held the offices of logotheta, praefectus sacri cubiculi, and others of importance, and he was honoured with the title of senator. He was present at the capture of Constantinople by the Latins in 1204, of which he has given us a most impressive and, undoubtedly, faithful description. His palace was burnt down during the storm, and after many dangerous adventures he escaped, with his family, to Nicaea, through the assistance of a generous Venetian merchant. There he continued to live at the court of the emperor Theodore Lascaris, and employed his time in writing that great historical work which has brought his name down to posterity. He died at Nicaea in, or perhaps after 1216. Modern travellers have tried, but in vain, to discover his tomb. Works Historia

The Historia is a corollary of ten distinct works, each of which contains one or more books, of which there are twenty-one, giving the history of the emperors from 1118 down to 1206: viz. Joannes Comnenus (1118-1143), in one book; Manuel Comnenus (1143-1180), in seven books; Alexis Comnenus (1180-1183), in one book; Andronicus Comnenus (1183-1185) in two books; Isaac Angelus (1185-1195), in three books; Alexis Angelus (1195-1203), in three books; Isaac Angelus and his son Alexis (1203-1204), in one book; Alexis Ducas Murzuplus (1204), in one book; Urbs Capta, or the events during and immediately after the taking of Constantinople (1204), in one book; Baldwin of Flanders (1204-1206), in one book.

The mode of quoting this historical work is thus: Nicetas, Isaac Angelus, 1.3; Urbs Capta, 100.1; Andron. Comnen. 2.5, &c. Editions

Ed. princeps, by H. Wolf, with a Latin version, Basel, 1557, fol.; reprinted, with an index and a chronology by Simon Goulartius, Geneva, 1593, 4to; by Fabrot, with a most valuable Glossarium Graeco-barbarum, and a revised translation, notes, &c., Paris, 1647, fol. in the Paris collection of the Byzantines; the same badly reprinted, Venice, 1729, fol. The last edition is in the Bonn collection of the Byzantines, edited by J. Bekker, 1835. Conquest of Constantinople ascribed to Nicetas

A Greek MS. in the Bodleian, divided into two books, and giving an account of the conquest of Constantinople, with special regard to the statues destroyed by the Latins, is ascribed to Nicetas, but it seems to have been altered by a later writer, who made additions. The account of the statues, which is of great interest, is given by Fabricius quoted below, and critical investigations concerning this MS. are given by Harris, in his Philological Enquiries (part 3.100.5). The work itself has been published by Wilken, under the title of Nicetae Narratio de Statuis antiquis, quas Franci, post captam anno 1204 Constantinopolin destruxerunt, Lips 1830. The four splendid brass horses at Venice were taken by the Venetians during the plunder of Constantinople in 1204, and fortunately escaped the barbarous avarice of the Latin soldiery. We cannot wonder at seeing Nicetas deeply incensed against the conquerors; but though very partial in his expressions, he is generally impartial as to facts. His style is bombastic, yet some portions of his work are most expressive and even beautiful. The History of Nicetas, as far as it treats the conquest of Constantinople, ought not to be studied without comparing it with Villehardouin's De la Conqueste de Constantinoble, and Paolo Ramusio's elegant work, De Bello Constantinopolitano, &c., Venice, 1635, fol Θησαυρὸς ὀρθοδοξίας

Nicetas also wrote: Θησαυρὸς ὀρθοδοξίας, in twenty-seven books. Editions

The first five of these books were translated into Latin by P. Morel (Morellus), Paris, 1561, 8vo., 1579, 1610; Geneva, 1629. They are also in the 12th vol. of the Bibl. Patr. Colon. But the whole is as yet unpublished.

The complete work is extant in MS. in the Royal Library at Paris; and there is another, but somewhat abridged copy in the Bodleian. Other Works

Some minor productions of Nicetas, among which a fragment on the ceremonies observed when a Mohammedan adopted the Christian religion, are extant in different libraries in Europe. Michael Choniates, the elder brother of Nicetas, wrote Μονοδία, being the life of Nicetas in bombastic verses, translated into Latin, and published by P. Morel, Paris, 1566, 8vo.; and also in the 25th vol. of the Bibl. Patr. Lugdun. Further Information

Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. vii. p. 737, &c.; Hankius, Script. Byzant.; Leo Allatius, De Nicetis; Hamberger, Nachrichien von gelehrten Männern; Harris, l.c.

2. Archidiaconus et Chartophylax Magnae Ecclesiae Constantinopolitanae, lived about 1080. Works Ἀναθεματισμοί II., Anathematismi contra Joannem Philosophum Italum

He wrote Ἀναθεματισμοί II., Anathematismi contra Joannem Philosophum Italum, a treatise on the orthodox faith, which is still esteemed in the Greek church, though it was never printed. It is extant in MS. at Venice. Further Information

Cave, Hist. Liter. ad an. 1080; Leo Allat. De Consensu Utriusque Eccles. 50.2.100.10.

3. Byzantinus, a monk who lived about 1120, wrote Tractatus Apologeticus pro Synodo Chalcedonensi adversus Armeniae Principem, ed. Leo Allatius, Graece et Latine, in the first vol. of Graecia Orthodoxa, Rome, 1652, 4to.; some ascribe this work to Nicetas Paphlago. (Cave, Hist. Liter. ad an. 1120; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. vii. p. 746.)

4. David. [See No. 9.]

5. Eugenianus, lived probably towards the end of the the twelfth century. Works The History of the Lives of Drusilla and Charicles

He wrote in poetry The History of the Lives of Drusilla and Charicles, which is the worst of all the Greek romances that have come down to us. Editions

It was published for the first time by Boissonade, together with the fragments of an erotic poem by Constantinus Manasses, 1819, 2 vols.

6. Georgius, of uncertain age, wrote Epistolae de Creatione Hominis, extant in MS. at Vienna. (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. xii. p. 53.)

7. Maronita, chartophylax, and afterwards archbishop of Thessalonica, lived about 1200, and showed himself well disposed towards the contemplated union of the Greek and Latin churches. He wrote: 1. De Processione Spiritus Sancti Dialogorum Libri VIII., in which he introduces a Greek and a Latin discussing the above subject. Leo Allatius (Contra Hottinger. 100.19) gives some fragments of it. 2. Responsio ad Interrogationes Busilii Monachi, Graec. et Lat. in Leunclavius, Jus Graeco-Ron. 3. Responsio ad Interrogationes de diversis Casibus Ecclesiast., ibid. 4. De Miraculis S. Demetrii Martyris, extant in the Bodleian. 5. Expositio Canonum s. Canticorum S. Joan. Damasceni, extant in MS. in Vienna. He also wrote some minor works. (Cave, Hist. Liter. ad an. 1201.)

8. Nicaeanus, chartophylax at Nicaea, of uncertain age, wrote De Schismate inter Eccles. Graecam et Romanam, extant in MS. in Paris and elsewhere; Leo Allatius gives a fragment of it in De Synodo Photian. Also perhaps De Azymis mis et Sabbatorum Jejunio, et Nuptiis Sacerdotum, which others ascribe to Nicetas Pectoratus. (Cave, Hist. Liter. D. p. 14.)

9. Paphlago, David, perhaps bishop of Dadybri in Paphlagonia, lived about 880, and became known by his attachment to the patriarch Ignatius, and by his attacks upon Piotius. Works

He wrote:-- 1. Vita S. Ignatii Patriarchae Editions

>Graece et Latine, in Raderus (Acta Concilii, 8vo. Ingolstadt, 1004, 4to.); and also in the 8th vol. of (Concilia. 2. Apostolorum XII. Encomia XII.

3. Orationes, viz in Marcum Evangelistam, in Nativitatem S. Mariae, in Exaltationem S. Crucis, in S. Gregorium Theologum, Oratio Panegyrica in S. Hyacinthum Amastrensem Martyrem Editions

All of which together with the Encoimia Apostol. were published with a Latin translation by Combéfis in Novissimum Auctuarium, Paris, 1672, fol. 4. Oratio Panegyrica in inclytum Martyrem Eustathium, &c. Editions

ed. Graece et Lat. with notes by Combéfis, in Illustrium Chrysti Martyrum Triumphi, Paris, 1660, 8vo. 5. Historia Apocrpha

lost. Nicephorus Callistus borrowed freely from it for his Historia Eccles. 6. Liber pro Synodo Chalcedonensi adversus Epistolam Regis Armeniae

more probably the work of Nicetas Byzantinus [No. 3]. 7. Commentarii in Gregor. Nazianzeni Tetrasticha et Monosticha

perhaps the work of Nicetas Serron. Further Information

The text, Venice, 1563, 4to.; a Latin version, Imola, 1588, 8vo. 7. Several hymns and minor productions.

Further Information

Cave, Hist. Liter. ad an. 880; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. vii. p. 747.

10. Pectoratus or Stethatus (Στηθατός), (Sterno), a monk of Constantinople, lived in the middle of the 11th century, and became known through his violent opposition to the union of the two churches, and his attacks upon Cardinal Humbertus and the other legates of the Pope at Constantinople. Works

He wrote:-- 1. Liber adversus Latinos de Azymis et Sabbatorum Jejunio, et Nuptiis Sacerdotum

ascribed by some to Nicetas Nicaeanus. Editions

It was published by Basnage in the 3d vol. of Canisius, Lection. Antiq., and also by Baronius in the Appendix to the 11th vol. of the Annales. 2. Tractatus de Anima

extant in MS. 3. Carmen in Symeonem juniorena Editions

ed. Graece Leo Allatius in his Diatriba de Symeon. 4. Other Works

Some minor productions extant in MSS. Further Information

Cave, Hist. Liter. ad an. 1050; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. vii. p. 753.

11. Rhetor, perhaps identical with Nicetas from Paphlago. Works

Among other productions the following are ascribed to him :-- 1. Several Orations known to Leo Allatius. 2. Diatriba in gloriosum Martyrem Pantieleemonem. 3. De Certamine et de Inventione, §c. reliquiarum, S. Stephani Protomartyris. 4. Encomium in Magnum Nicholaum Myrobleptem et Thaumaturgum. None of these have been published. Further Information

Cave, Hist. Liter. D. p. 14.

12. Scutariota, a native of Scutari, opposite Constantinople, of uncertain age. Works

Nicetas wrote: -- 1. Homiliae III. 2. Scholia sive Annotationes in Nicetae Acominati Thesaurum Orthodox 3. Epistolae De Arte Rhetorica Poems Other minor productions These are extant in MSS. in Paris and elsewhere. Further Information

Cave, Hist. Liter. D. p. 15; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. vii. p. 755.

13. Seidus, a violent opponent of the Latins, against whom he wrote a small work, a Latin translation of which begins Non simpliciter antiqua novis venerabiliora, &c., and of which Leo Allatius gives some fragments in De Consensa, 1.14. (Cave, Hst. Liter. ad an. 1110.)

14. Serron, archbishop of Serrae or Seres in Macedonia, and afterwards of Heracleia, lived in the 11th century, and has often, by Leo Allatius for instance, been confounded with Nicetas Paph lago. Works

He wrote:-- 1. Commentarii in XVI. Nazianzeni Orationes Editions

published ad calcem Operum Nazianzeni, and separately, under the name of Nicetas David Paphlago, Venice, 1563, 4to. 2. Response Canonica ad Interrogationes cujusdam Constantini Episcopi Editions

Graece et Latine in Leunclavius, Jus Graeco-Roman. 3. Catena in Jonum

a compilation ascribed by some to one Olympiodorus. Editions

Edit.: A Latin version, by Paulus Comitolus, Venice, 1587, 4to.; Graece et Latine, by Patricius Junius, London, 1637, fol. 4. Catenae in Lucam, Matthaeum aliosque

perhaps. Further Information

Cave, Hist. Liter. ad an. 1077; Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. viii. p. 431; Hamberger, Nachrichten von gelehrten Männern.

15. Thessalonicensis, was archbishop of Thessalonica, and wrote Dialogi Sex de Processione Spiritus Sancti, of which Leo Allatius gives a fragment in Contra Hottinger. Nicetas of Thessalonica lived about 1200; he has often been confounded with Nicetas Acominatus. (Fabric. Bibl. Graec. vol. vii. p. 756.) [W.P]

or as his name is variously written, Nicaeas or Niceas, or Nicetus or Nicetius, was by birth a Dacian, and bishop of a city called by ecclesiastical writers Civitas Romatiana or Remessilanesis, situated in Maesia, somewhere between Naissus and Sardica. This prelate visited Italy towards the close of the fourth century, and having repaired to Nola for the purpose of visiting the sepulchre of St. Felix, there gained the good-will of Paulinus, who celebrates, in a poem still extant, the high talents and virtues of his friend, and the zeal with which he laboured in preaching the Gospel among the barbarians. Nicetas paid a second visit to Nola A. D. 402, and it appears from an epistle of Pope Innocentius I. (n. xvii. ed. Coustant). where he is numbered among the dignitaries of Macedonia, that he was alive in 414.

Considerable confusion has been occasioned by the Mistake of Baronius, who supposed that Nicetas the Dacian, mentioned in the Roman Martyrology under 7th January, was a different person the Nicaeas Romatianae civitatis episcopus of Gennadius, and that the latter was the same with the Alcaeas of Aquileia, to whom a letter was addressed by Leo the Great in A. D. 458,--an hypothesis which forced him to prove that Aquileia bore the name of Civitas Romaliana. But the researches of Holstein, Quesnel and Tillemont have set the question at rest.

Gennadins informs us that Nicetas composed in a plain but elegant style instructions for those who were preparing for baptism, in six books, of which he gives the arguments, and also Ad Lapsam Virginem Libellus. Of these, the former is certainly lost, but we find among the works of St. Jerome (vol. xi. p. 178, ed. Vallarsi, vol.v. ed Bened.), a tract entitled Objurgatioad Susannam Lapsam, and among the works of St. Ambrose (vol. ii. p. 301. ed. Bened.) the same piece under the name Tractatus ad Virgi nem Lapsam, although it can be proved by the most convincing arguments that neither of these divines could have been the author. Hence it was conjectured by Cotelerius that it might, in reality, belong to Nicetas, and his opinion has been very generally adopted, although the matter seems to be involved in great doubt. (Gennadius, de Viris Illustr. 22; Schönemann, Bibliotheca Patrum Lat. vol. 2.17.) [W.R]

or Nicaeas was, as we have noticed above, bishop of Aquileia in the middle of the fifth century. His remains have been carefully collected from various sources by Mai in the "Scriptorum Veterum Nova Collectio e Vaticanis Codicibus edita," 4to. Rom. 1833, vol. vii. p. 314-- 340. They consist of four short tracts: -- 1. De Ratione Fidei. 2. De Spiritus Sancti Potentia. 3. De diversis Appellationibus Domino nostro Jesu Christo convenienlibus. 4. Explunatio Symboli habita ad competentes, together with six fragments of a few lines each.

Nicetas, who was bishop of Trèves in the middle of the sixth century, does not fall within the limits of this work. [W.R]

(Νικήτας), a physician, to whom is addressed one of the letters of Theophylactus, archbishop of Bulgaria (Ep. 55). He is there styled "Physician to the King," and must have lived in the eleventh century after Christ. Works Surgical Treatises

He is, perhaps, the same person as the compiler of a collection of surgical treatises, who is supposed to have lived at Constantinople at the end of the eleventh or the beginning of the twelfth century after Christ. It contains extracts from the works of Hippocrates, Soranus, Rufus, Galen, Oribasius, Paulus Aegineta, and other writers of less note; and is to be found in MS. in the Libraries at Paris (Codd. 2247, 2248), and Florence. Of the Laurentian MS., which is very ancient and valuable, a full account is given by Bandini in his Catal. Cod. Graec. Biblioth. Laurent. (vol. iii. p. 53, &c. cod. 7), where he has also inserted a complete list of the chapters contained in the volume, to the number of five hundred and eighteen. Editions

A part of the contents of this MS. was published at Florence, 1754 fol. by Antonio Cocchi, with the title: -- "Graecorum Chirurgici Libri : Sorani unus de Fracturarum Signis, Oribasii duo de Fractis et de Luxatis, e Collectione Nicetae," &c. &c. The editor has added a Latin translation, and some valuable notes. The Commentary of Apollonius Citiensis on Hippocrates "De Articulis" was extracted from this collection. [Apollonius, p. 245]. Further Information

See Choulant's Handb. der Bücherkunde für die Aeltere Medicin; Dietz's Preface to his Scholia in Hippoer. et Gal. [W.A.G]

(Νικήτας). (1) Eugeniānus, author of one of the poorest of the Greek romances that have come down to us. He appears to have lived not long after Theodore Prodromus, whom, according to the title of his work as given in a Paris manuscript, he selected for his model. He wrote of the loves of Drosilla and Chariclea. Boissonade gave to the world an edition of this romance, published in 1819 at Paris (2 vols.).

(2) Acominātus, surnamed Choniātes, from his having been born at Chonae, or Colossae, in Phrygia. He filled many posts of distinction at Constantinople, under the emperor Isaac II. (Angelus). About A.D. 1189 he was appointed by the same monarch governor of Philippopolis, an office of which Alexius V. deprived him. He died A.D. 1216 at Nicaea, in Bithynia, to which city he had fled after the taking of Constantinople by the Latins. He wrote a history of the Byzantine emperors, in twenty-one books, commencing A.D. 1118 and ending A.D. 1206. It is edited by Bekker (1835) and Migne (1865).

(3) An ecclesiastical writer, who flourished during the latter half of the eleventh century. He was at first bishop of Serrae in Macedonia (whence he is sometimes surnamed Serrariensis), and afterwards metropolitan of Heraclea, in Thrace. He is known by his commentary on sixteen discourses of St. Gregory Nazianzen and by other works connected with theology and sacred criticism. He was the author, likewise, of some grammatical productions, of which, however, only a small remnant has come down to us, in the shape of a treatise, “On the Names of the Gods” (Εἰς τὰ Ὀνόματα τῶν Θεῶν), edited by Creuzer (Leipzig, 1817).