logna : he retained this office about five years, and His body was
conveyed
to Rome, and buried there
succeeded, by his prudence and moderation, in re- in a tomb which he had prepared in his lifetime, in
storing the tranquillity of the district.
succeeded, by his prudence and moderation, in re- in a tomb which he had prepared in his lifetime, in
storing the tranquillity of the district.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
4.
Commentarii in Aristotelis
been severely censured ; and is charged with glut- Metaphysica, published with Bessarion's version of
tony, to which his corpulence is ascribed, and with that work, fol. Paris, 1515. The other original
drunkenness, as well as with conceit and jealousy. works of Argyropulus are scattered in MS. througb
These last qualities were so likely to be manifested the libraries of Europe. They are, 5. Consolatio
by persons in the situations of these Greek exiles, ad Imperatorein Constantinum in morte fratris Jan
reverenced and sought as instructors by the men | annis Palaeologi extincti, A. D. 1448. This work is
## p. 589 (#605) ############################################
JOANNES.
589
JOANNES.
I
mentioned hy Alatins in his book De Synodo Phoco. ; Bayle, Dictionnaire, 8. 0. Acciaioli (Donat. )
tiuna, p. 542. " 6. Monodia in obitum Imperatoris Aygyropyle. )
Joannis Palaeologi. 7. Comparatio veteruin Im- 18. BARBUCALLUS. (BARBUCALLUS. ) -
peratorum cum holierno, or Veterum Principum cum 19. S. BASILII DISCIPULUS, sive OBEDIEN-
Imperatore nunc regnante Comparatio. The title is TIAE FILIUs. (See No. 28. )
indefinite, but the comparison instituted in the 20. Beccus, or Veccus. (Veccus. ]
work is, according to some of our authorities, be 21. BESSARION or BESSARIO, sometimes Besa-
tween the Greek emperors of Constantinople and RION, BISsaRION, BISARION, or Bizarion (Bnora-
their Turkish successors. 8. Homilia de Imperio, ρίων or Bησαρίων, or Βισσαρίων), in Italian BassARI-
ad Constantinum Palaeologum. 9. Solutiones Quaes-ONE. The first name of this eminent ecclesiastic has
tionum quae proposuerant Philosophi et Medici qui: been the subject of dispute : he is commonly men-
dum ex Cipro insula. 10. Ad Pupam Nicolaum v. tioned by the name Bessarion only: some have pre-
11. Poemata Grucca Ecclesiastica, by Argyro- fixed the name of Basilius, others (as Panzer, An-
pulus and others. A manuscript in the Bodleian nales Typog. Indices) that of Nicolaus ; but it has
library (Cod. Barocc. lazxvii. , according to the been shown by Bandini (Commentarius de Vila Bes
Catalog. MStorum Angliae et Hiberniae), contains sarionis, c. 2) upon the authority of the cardinal him-
Porphyrii Isagoge cum scholiis marginalibus fortè self, that his name was Joannes or John. He was born
Jo. Argyropuli, et Aristotelis Organon cum scholiis at Trapezus, or Trebizond, A. D. 1395, whether of
fortè per eundem. It has an effigy of Argyropulus an obscure or noble, or even royal family, is much
in his study, which is engraved in Hody's work disputed. He studied at Constantinople, and at-
cited below. Fabricius (Bibl. Gr. vol. iii. p. 479) tended the school of Georgius Chrysococces (CHRY-
speaks of his Expositiones in Aristotelis Ethica, SOCOCCES), and had for his fellow-student Francesco
Physica, Lib. de Anima et Mechanica ; and distin- Filelfo (Franciscus Philelphus), as appears from a
guishes them from the work published by Accia- letter of Filelfo dated x. Cal. Feb. 1448. (Philel-
juoli, with which we should otherwise have supposed phus, Epistolae, lib. vi. fol. 84, ed. Basil. 1506. )
the Expositiones in Ethica to be identical. Harless, Having embraced a monastic life in the order of St.
in a note to Fabricius (Bibl. Gr. vol. vi. p. 131)Basil, he turned his attention from poetry and ora-
speaks of his Prolegg. in Progymnasm. as contained tory, in which he had already become eminent, to
in a MS. at Heidelberg.
theology, which he studied under two of the most
· The Latin versions of Argyropulus are chiefly of learned metropolitans of the Greek church. He
the works (genuine or reputed) of Aristotle. 1. also studied the Platonic philosophy under Geor-
Elhica Nicomachea, Libri X. There is reason to gius Pletho or Gemistus (GemiSTUS), for whom he
think that this was printed at Florence about A. D. ever retained the greatest reverence, and under
1478, in which year the Commentarië taken down whom he became a zealous Plutonist. To study
by Acciajuoli were printed: it was certainly printed under Gemistus he withdrew (apparently about
at Rome A. D. 1492, and in the Latin edition of A. D. 1416 or 1417) into the Morea, and remained
the works of Aristotle published by Gregorius de 21 years in a monastery there, except when en-
Gregoriis, 2 vols. fol. Venice, 1496. This edition gaged in diplomatic missions for the emperors of
contained versions of the following works of Aris- Constantinople and Trebizond.
totle by Argyropulus :-2. Categoriae 8. Praedica- Bessarion was an advocate for the proposed
menta. 3. Physica & Acroases Physicae s. De union of the two churches, the Latin and the
Naturali Auscultutione, Libri VIII. 4. De Coelo Greek, and was one of those who urged upon the
et Mundo, Libri IV. 5. De Anima, Libri III. 6. emperor Joannes Palacologus the convocation of the
Metcphysica, Libri XII. The thirteenth and four- general council for the purpose, which met A. D.
teenth books were not translated by him. 7. De 1438 at Ferrara, and from thence adjourned to
Interpretatione. 8. Analytica Priora. 9. Analytica Florence. He had, just before the meeting of the
Posteriora, Libri II. 10. Epistola ad Alexandrum council, been appointed archbishop of Nicaea, and
"in qua de libris ad methodum civilium sermonum appeared as one of the managers of the conference
spectantibus disseritur. ” Some of our authorities on the side of the Greeks, Mark, archbishop of
speak of the following works as having been trans- Ephesus (Eugenicus Marcus), being the other.
lated by him, but we have not been able to trace He at first advocated, on the points difference
them in print:-11. Politica, Libri VIII. ; and 12. between the two churches, the opinions generally
Oeconomica, Libri II. These two works are said entertained by the Greeks, but was soon converted
to have been published in 8vo. Venice, a. D. 1506, to the Latin side, either from honest conviction, as
but we doubt the correctness of the statement. he himself affirmed, or, as his enemies intimated, in
13. De Mundo. 14. Mechanica Problemata. Some the bɔpe of receiving honours and emoluments from
of his translations are reprinted in the volume of the pope. He was possibly influenced by a feeling
Latin versions which forms a sequel to Bekkers of jealousy against Mark of Ephesus, his coadjutor.
edition of Aristotle.
Phranza asserts (ii. 17) that on the death of Joseph,
He also translated the Praedicabilia or De quinque patriarch of Constantinople (JOSEPHUS, No. 7],
Vocibus of Porphyry, and the Homiliae S. Basilii during the sitting of the council, the emperor Joan-
in Hexaë meron. His version of Porphyry was nes Palaeologus and the council elected Bessarion
printed with his translations of Aristotle at Venice to succeed him; but Bessarion probably thought that
in 1496, and that of Basil at Rome a. d. 1515. his Latinist predilections, however acceptable to the
(Hody, de Graccis Illustribus, pp. 187—210 ; emperor, would not recommend him to his country-
Boerner, de Doctis Hominibus Gruecis; Roscoe, men in general, and declined the appointment. He
Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, 4th edition, vol. i. pp. did not, however, remain in Italy, as Phranza
61,101, vol. ii. pp. 107–110; Wharton apud Cave, incorrectly states, but returned to Constantinople
Hist. Litt. vol. ii. , Appendir, p. 168 ; Fabric. Bibl. soon after the breaking up of the council. He was,
(Iruec. vol. iï. p. 496, &c. , vol. xi. p. 460, &c. ; Fachowever, almost immediately induced to return to
ciolati, Tiraboschi, Nic. Comnenus Papadopoli, 4. / Italy by the intelligence that the pope had con-
## p. 590 (#606) ############################################
0902
JOANNES.
EJOANNES.
With the excep
ferred on him (Dec. 1439) a cardinal's hat This public affairs, and devoted himself to literary pur-
honour, following so close upon his embracing the suits. - About the end of 1468 he took part in the
side of the Latins, and the fact that the pope had solemn reception of the emperor Frederic III. at
previously granted hiin an annuity, gave colour to Rome.
ihe report that his change had not been wholly On the death of Paul II. , A. D. 1471, Bessarion
disinterested. Hody rejects the story of his elec- was again near being elected pope, but jealousy or
tion to the patriarchate, but his arguments are not accident prevented it, and Francesco della Rovero
convincing: the facts urged by him only show that was chosen, and took the title of Sixtus IV. Sis-
the patriarchate was vacant at the dissolution of the lus, anxious to remove Bessarion from Rome, en-
council
, which it would be in consequence of Bes- trusted to him the legation to Louis XI. of France,
sarion's declining it.
that he might effect a reconciliation between Louis
From this time he resided ordinarily at Rome, and the Duke of Burgundy, and induce them to
where his house became the resort and asylum of join the league against the Turks. Bessarion, who
men of letters. Filelfo (Philelphus), Poggio Fio- was now far advanced in age, and afflicted with a
rentino, Lorenzo or Laurentius Valls, Platina, and disease of the bladder, was anxious to decline the
others, were among his intimate friends, and he appointinent, but the pope was pressing; and early
was the patron of the Greek exiles, Theodore in the spring of 1472 he set out for the Nether-
Gaza, George of Trebizond, Argyropulus, and lands, to confer with the Duke of Burgundy. His
others. In A. D. 1449 he was appointed by making the first application to the Duke excited the
Nicolas V. bishop of Savina, and shortly after jealousy of Louis, and Bessarion failed in his ob
wards of Frascati, the ancient Tusculum. About ject. Bessarion died at Ravenna 18th Nov. 1472, in
the same time he was appointed legate of Bo the 77th year of his age, on his return from France.
logna : he retained this office about five years, and His body was conveyed to Rome, and buried there
succeeded, by his prudence and moderation, in re- in a tomb which he had prepared in his lifetime, in
storing the tranquillity of the district. He exerted a chapel of the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles, the
himself also to revive the former splendour of the pope himself attending his funeral obsequies. The
university, which had much decayed. On the year of Bessarion's death has been variously stated,
death of Nicolas V. (A. D. 1455), he returned to but the date given above is correct.
Rome, to the great grief of the Bolognese ; and Bessarion was held in great respect by his con-
would probably have been chosen to the vacant temporaries, and deservedly 80.
papacy but for jealousy of his Greek origin enter tion of his opportune conversion at Florence, in
iained by a few of the cardinals. Cardinal Alfonso which, after all, nothing can be urged against him
Borgia was therefore chosen, and assumed the name but the suspiciousness which attaches to every con-
of Callistus or Calixtus III. During the papacy version occurring at a convenient time, his career
of Callistus, and of his successor, Pius II. , Bessarion was exempt from reproach. He supported, by every
was very earnest in rousing the princes and states exertion that his position allowed, the cause of his
of Italy to defend what remained of the Greek falling country, and was a generous patron to his
empire after the fall of Constantinople. He visited exiled fellow-countrymen. His literary labours
Naples, where he was honourably received by the and his important services in the revival of clas-
king, Alfonso; and attended the congress of sical literature, entitle him to the gratitude of suh-
Mantua, held A. D. 1458 or 1459, soon after the sequent ages. His valuable library he gave in his
election of
pope Pius II. , for the purpose of forming lifetime (a. D. 1468) to the library of St. Mark,
a league against the Turks. He shortly after belonging to the republic of Venice; and it was
visited Germany as papal legate, to unite, if pos- deposited first in the ducal palace, and then in a
sible, the Germans and Hungarians in a league building erected for the library, of which the Latin
against the same enemy; but his efforts on all these and Greek MSS. of Bessarion are among the most
occasions failed of their purpose, and he returned to precious treasures.
Rome before the end of 1461. In 1463 he was The works of Bessarion are numerous: they
appointed by the pope bishop of Chalcis, in Negro comprehend original works and translations from
ponte (Euboea), and soon after titular patriarch of Greek into Latin. Of the original works several
Constantinople, in which character he addressed an exist only in MS. in various libraries, especially in
encyclical letter to the clergy of his patriarchate, that of St. Mark at Venice. We give only his
in which he exhorted them to union with the Latin published works: the others are enumerated by
church, and submission to the papal authority. It Bandini, Hody, Cave, and Fabricius. I. THEOLO-
js remarkable that in this letter, according to the GICAL WORKS: 1. Abyos, Sermo; a discourse in
version of Arcadio, he styled himself" oecumenical honour of the Council of Ferrara, delivered at the
patriarch,” notwithstanding the umbrage which that opening of the council, A. D. 1438, and printed in
ambitious title had formerly given (See Nos. 27, the Concilia (vol. xiii. col. 35, &c. , ed. Labbe ; vol.
28, JOANNES CAPPADOX, 1, 2) to the Roman ix. col. 27, ed. Hardouin ; vol. 31, col. 495, &c. , ed.
see, under subjection to which he was now living. Mansi). 2. AdyMaTIKÒS 19 tepl évárews lógos,
During the pontificate of Pius he was made dean Oratio Dogmatica, sive de Unione ; called also De
of the College of Cardinals. In the same year, Compunctione (Panzer, vol. viii. p. 271); delivered
1463, Bessarion was sent as legate to Venice, to at the same council (col. 391, &c. , Labbe ; col. 983,
prevail on the Venetians to unite in a league with &c. , Mansi). 3. Declaratio aliquorum quae in dicta
the pope against the Turks. His efforts on this Oratione Dogmatica continentur, quae Graecis no-
occasion were successful, and he induced the Vene- tissima, Latinis ignota sunt, written in Latin and
tians to fit out a fleet, in which he returned to subjoined to the preceding oration. 4. Ad Alexium
Ancona, just in time to attend the dying bed of the Lascarim Epistola, de Successu Synodi Florentinas
pope, Pius II. , and the election of his successor, et de Processione Spiritus Sancti. The Greek
Paul II, A. D. 1464. During the papacy of the original, with two Latin versions, one by Bessarion
latter (1464—1471) Bessarion mingled littie in | hiinself, and one by Pietro Arcudio, was published
## p. 591 (#607) ############################################
JOANNES
691
a
80. ) 23.
JOANNES.
in the Opriscula! Aurea Thoologica of the latter, by' Allatius (Diatriba de Georgiis, p. 392, and
Rome, 1649: a Latin version appears in the Con- De Consensu Ecclesiae, Occident. et Orient. , lib. iii.
cilia (col. ; 1227; &C. , Labbe). 5. Epistola Catho c. iii. p. 937. ) 18. Ad Thomae Palaeologi Filiorunu
lica sive Encyclica ad Graecos Ecclesiae CPolitanae Paedugogum Epistola. Thomas Palaeologus, despot
subjectos de praestanda Romanas Eoclesiae Obedi of the Mores, and brother of the last Byzantino
ention, Synodique Florentinas Decretis admittendis, et Emperor, Constantine XIII. , when driven out of
do sua in Patriarcham CPolitanum Electione. This the Morea by the Turks, fied with his wife and
letter, noticed in our biographical sketch, was also children to Rome, where he was much indebted to
published by Arcudio with a double version, one the good offices of Bessarion, who, upon his death,
by himself
, and one by Bessarion. A Latin ver. continued his friendly, care towards his orphan
sion, apparently of this letter, as it is entitled children. The letter of Bessarion was printed by
Epistola ad Graecos, was printed with a version Meursius, with the Opuscula of Hesychius of
of the work on the eucharist mentioned below at Miletus (HESYCHIUS, No. 9. ), Leyden, A. D. 1613.
Strasburg, 4to. A. D. 1513. (Panzer, vol. vi. 62. ) A 19. Ad Ducem et Senatum Venetum de Bibliothecas
Latin version also is given by Raynald, Annal. Eo suas Donatione Epistola. This Latin letter is
clesiast. ad ann. 1463, c. lviii. &c. 6. Apologia printed in the Historia Rerum Venetiaruin of Juo-
adversus Gregorium Palamam pro Jo. Vecci, Patri- tiniani, at the end of the eighth book. 20. Monodia
archae CPolitani Libro adrersus Responsiones Grae- in Obitum Manuelis Palaeologi Imperatoris. A
corum de Processione Spiritus Sancti. This work, Latin version of this Monody by Niccolo Perotti
with a Latin version, was published by Arcudio. 7. is given in the Annales Ecclesiastici of Bzovius, vol.
Responsio ad quatuor Argumenta Mazimi Planudae xviii. p. 72, &c. 21. Orationes Quatuor ad Italos.
de Processione Spiritus Sancti ex solo Patre : pub- Three of these orations, designed to rouse the states
lished, with a Latin version, by Arcudio. 8. Grae- and princes of Western Europe against the Turks,
corum Confessio de Verbis Consecrationis, et Transub were published at Paris, A. d. 1471, and apparently
stantiatione. A Latin version of this, by Niccolo a second time in A. D. 1500 (Panzer, vol. ii. p.
Sagundino, is contained in the Museum Italicum of 332), and the whole four in the second volume of
Mabillon, vol. i. part ii. p. 243, &c. 9. De Sancto the Consultationes alque Orationes Turcicae of Ni.
Eucharistiae Mysterio, et quod per Verba Domini colas Reusner. An Italian version, we know not
maxime fiat Consecratio, contra Marcum Ephesium ; whether of the three or four, was printed, probably
or, De Sacramento Eucharistiae, et quibus Verbis at Venice, A. D. 1471. (Panzer, vol. iii.
Christi Corpus conficiatur. A Latin version of this Ad Ludovicum Francorum Regem de sua Electione
was published, as we have noticed above, at Stras- in Legatum ad ipsum et Ducem Burgundiae, pub-
burg, A. D. 1513; and also at Nuremburg, A. D. lished in the Spicilegium of I'Achéry, vol. iv. Paris,
1527. (Panzer, vol. vii. p. 473). One appears in 1661. 23. Various Epistolae and Orationes, in-
the Bibliotheca Putrum (vol. xxvi. p. 787, &c. ed. cluding apparently some of those already noticed,
Lyon. 1677). 10. De ea Parte Evangelii, ' Si eum in 1 vol. 4to. , without note of place or year of pub-
volo manere', &c. , erudita et valde utilis Disceptatio, lication, but known to have been printed by Guil.
printed with the Dialoge of Salonius, of Vienna, Fitchet, Paris, about 1470 or 1472. (Panzer, vol.
4to. Haguenau, 1532, Panzer, vol. vii. p. 109. 11. ii. p. 271. )
Ad Paulum II. P. M. Epistola, qua suas de Pro His versions into Latin were of the following
cessione Spiritus Sancti lucubrationes ei affert et works: 1. Xenophontis de Dictis et Factis Socratis,
dicat ; and, 12. Ad Paulum II. P. M. de Errore Libri IV, printed in various editions of Xenophon,
Paschatis. These two letters are inserted in the and separately in 4to, at Louvain, a, D. 1533. 2.
been severely censured ; and is charged with glut- Metaphysica, published with Bessarion's version of
tony, to which his corpulence is ascribed, and with that work, fol. Paris, 1515. The other original
drunkenness, as well as with conceit and jealousy. works of Argyropulus are scattered in MS. througb
These last qualities were so likely to be manifested the libraries of Europe. They are, 5. Consolatio
by persons in the situations of these Greek exiles, ad Imperatorein Constantinum in morte fratris Jan
reverenced and sought as instructors by the men | annis Palaeologi extincti, A. D. 1448. This work is
## p. 589 (#605) ############################################
JOANNES.
589
JOANNES.
I
mentioned hy Alatins in his book De Synodo Phoco. ; Bayle, Dictionnaire, 8. 0. Acciaioli (Donat. )
tiuna, p. 542. " 6. Monodia in obitum Imperatoris Aygyropyle. )
Joannis Palaeologi. 7. Comparatio veteruin Im- 18. BARBUCALLUS. (BARBUCALLUS. ) -
peratorum cum holierno, or Veterum Principum cum 19. S. BASILII DISCIPULUS, sive OBEDIEN-
Imperatore nunc regnante Comparatio. The title is TIAE FILIUs. (See No. 28. )
indefinite, but the comparison instituted in the 20. Beccus, or Veccus. (Veccus. ]
work is, according to some of our authorities, be 21. BESSARION or BESSARIO, sometimes Besa-
tween the Greek emperors of Constantinople and RION, BISsaRION, BISARION, or Bizarion (Bnora-
their Turkish successors. 8. Homilia de Imperio, ρίων or Bησαρίων, or Βισσαρίων), in Italian BassARI-
ad Constantinum Palaeologum. 9. Solutiones Quaes-ONE. The first name of this eminent ecclesiastic has
tionum quae proposuerant Philosophi et Medici qui: been the subject of dispute : he is commonly men-
dum ex Cipro insula. 10. Ad Pupam Nicolaum v. tioned by the name Bessarion only: some have pre-
11. Poemata Grucca Ecclesiastica, by Argyro- fixed the name of Basilius, others (as Panzer, An-
pulus and others. A manuscript in the Bodleian nales Typog. Indices) that of Nicolaus ; but it has
library (Cod. Barocc. lazxvii. , according to the been shown by Bandini (Commentarius de Vila Bes
Catalog. MStorum Angliae et Hiberniae), contains sarionis, c. 2) upon the authority of the cardinal him-
Porphyrii Isagoge cum scholiis marginalibus fortè self, that his name was Joannes or John. He was born
Jo. Argyropuli, et Aristotelis Organon cum scholiis at Trapezus, or Trebizond, A. D. 1395, whether of
fortè per eundem. It has an effigy of Argyropulus an obscure or noble, or even royal family, is much
in his study, which is engraved in Hody's work disputed. He studied at Constantinople, and at-
cited below. Fabricius (Bibl. Gr. vol. iii. p. 479) tended the school of Georgius Chrysococces (CHRY-
speaks of his Expositiones in Aristotelis Ethica, SOCOCCES), and had for his fellow-student Francesco
Physica, Lib. de Anima et Mechanica ; and distin- Filelfo (Franciscus Philelphus), as appears from a
guishes them from the work published by Accia- letter of Filelfo dated x. Cal. Feb. 1448. (Philel-
juoli, with which we should otherwise have supposed phus, Epistolae, lib. vi. fol. 84, ed. Basil. 1506. )
the Expositiones in Ethica to be identical. Harless, Having embraced a monastic life in the order of St.
in a note to Fabricius (Bibl. Gr. vol. vi. p. 131)Basil, he turned his attention from poetry and ora-
speaks of his Prolegg. in Progymnasm. as contained tory, in which he had already become eminent, to
in a MS. at Heidelberg.
theology, which he studied under two of the most
· The Latin versions of Argyropulus are chiefly of learned metropolitans of the Greek church. He
the works (genuine or reputed) of Aristotle. 1. also studied the Platonic philosophy under Geor-
Elhica Nicomachea, Libri X. There is reason to gius Pletho or Gemistus (GemiSTUS), for whom he
think that this was printed at Florence about A. D. ever retained the greatest reverence, and under
1478, in which year the Commentarië taken down whom he became a zealous Plutonist. To study
by Acciajuoli were printed: it was certainly printed under Gemistus he withdrew (apparently about
at Rome A. D. 1492, and in the Latin edition of A. D. 1416 or 1417) into the Morea, and remained
the works of Aristotle published by Gregorius de 21 years in a monastery there, except when en-
Gregoriis, 2 vols. fol. Venice, 1496. This edition gaged in diplomatic missions for the emperors of
contained versions of the following works of Aris- Constantinople and Trebizond.
totle by Argyropulus :-2. Categoriae 8. Praedica- Bessarion was an advocate for the proposed
menta. 3. Physica & Acroases Physicae s. De union of the two churches, the Latin and the
Naturali Auscultutione, Libri VIII. 4. De Coelo Greek, and was one of those who urged upon the
et Mundo, Libri IV. 5. De Anima, Libri III. 6. emperor Joannes Palacologus the convocation of the
Metcphysica, Libri XII. The thirteenth and four- general council for the purpose, which met A. D.
teenth books were not translated by him. 7. De 1438 at Ferrara, and from thence adjourned to
Interpretatione. 8. Analytica Priora. 9. Analytica Florence. He had, just before the meeting of the
Posteriora, Libri II. 10. Epistola ad Alexandrum council, been appointed archbishop of Nicaea, and
"in qua de libris ad methodum civilium sermonum appeared as one of the managers of the conference
spectantibus disseritur. ” Some of our authorities on the side of the Greeks, Mark, archbishop of
speak of the following works as having been trans- Ephesus (Eugenicus Marcus), being the other.
lated by him, but we have not been able to trace He at first advocated, on the points difference
them in print:-11. Politica, Libri VIII. ; and 12. between the two churches, the opinions generally
Oeconomica, Libri II. These two works are said entertained by the Greeks, but was soon converted
to have been published in 8vo. Venice, a. D. 1506, to the Latin side, either from honest conviction, as
but we doubt the correctness of the statement. he himself affirmed, or, as his enemies intimated, in
13. De Mundo. 14. Mechanica Problemata. Some the bɔpe of receiving honours and emoluments from
of his translations are reprinted in the volume of the pope. He was possibly influenced by a feeling
Latin versions which forms a sequel to Bekkers of jealousy against Mark of Ephesus, his coadjutor.
edition of Aristotle.
Phranza asserts (ii. 17) that on the death of Joseph,
He also translated the Praedicabilia or De quinque patriarch of Constantinople (JOSEPHUS, No. 7],
Vocibus of Porphyry, and the Homiliae S. Basilii during the sitting of the council, the emperor Joan-
in Hexaë meron. His version of Porphyry was nes Palaeologus and the council elected Bessarion
printed with his translations of Aristotle at Venice to succeed him; but Bessarion probably thought that
in 1496, and that of Basil at Rome a. d. 1515. his Latinist predilections, however acceptable to the
(Hody, de Graccis Illustribus, pp. 187—210 ; emperor, would not recommend him to his country-
Boerner, de Doctis Hominibus Gruecis; Roscoe, men in general, and declined the appointment. He
Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, 4th edition, vol. i. pp. did not, however, remain in Italy, as Phranza
61,101, vol. ii. pp. 107–110; Wharton apud Cave, incorrectly states, but returned to Constantinople
Hist. Litt. vol. ii. , Appendir, p. 168 ; Fabric. Bibl. soon after the breaking up of the council. He was,
(Iruec. vol. iï. p. 496, &c. , vol. xi. p. 460, &c. ; Fachowever, almost immediately induced to return to
ciolati, Tiraboschi, Nic. Comnenus Papadopoli, 4. / Italy by the intelligence that the pope had con-
## p. 590 (#606) ############################################
0902
JOANNES.
EJOANNES.
With the excep
ferred on him (Dec. 1439) a cardinal's hat This public affairs, and devoted himself to literary pur-
honour, following so close upon his embracing the suits. - About the end of 1468 he took part in the
side of the Latins, and the fact that the pope had solemn reception of the emperor Frederic III. at
previously granted hiin an annuity, gave colour to Rome.
ihe report that his change had not been wholly On the death of Paul II. , A. D. 1471, Bessarion
disinterested. Hody rejects the story of his elec- was again near being elected pope, but jealousy or
tion to the patriarchate, but his arguments are not accident prevented it, and Francesco della Rovero
convincing: the facts urged by him only show that was chosen, and took the title of Sixtus IV. Sis-
the patriarchate was vacant at the dissolution of the lus, anxious to remove Bessarion from Rome, en-
council
, which it would be in consequence of Bes- trusted to him the legation to Louis XI. of France,
sarion's declining it.
that he might effect a reconciliation between Louis
From this time he resided ordinarily at Rome, and the Duke of Burgundy, and induce them to
where his house became the resort and asylum of join the league against the Turks. Bessarion, who
men of letters. Filelfo (Philelphus), Poggio Fio- was now far advanced in age, and afflicted with a
rentino, Lorenzo or Laurentius Valls, Platina, and disease of the bladder, was anxious to decline the
others, were among his intimate friends, and he appointinent, but the pope was pressing; and early
was the patron of the Greek exiles, Theodore in the spring of 1472 he set out for the Nether-
Gaza, George of Trebizond, Argyropulus, and lands, to confer with the Duke of Burgundy. His
others. In A. D. 1449 he was appointed by making the first application to the Duke excited the
Nicolas V. bishop of Savina, and shortly after jealousy of Louis, and Bessarion failed in his ob
wards of Frascati, the ancient Tusculum. About ject. Bessarion died at Ravenna 18th Nov. 1472, in
the same time he was appointed legate of Bo the 77th year of his age, on his return from France.
logna : he retained this office about five years, and His body was conveyed to Rome, and buried there
succeeded, by his prudence and moderation, in re- in a tomb which he had prepared in his lifetime, in
storing the tranquillity of the district. He exerted a chapel of the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles, the
himself also to revive the former splendour of the pope himself attending his funeral obsequies. The
university, which had much decayed. On the year of Bessarion's death has been variously stated,
death of Nicolas V. (A. D. 1455), he returned to but the date given above is correct.
Rome, to the great grief of the Bolognese ; and Bessarion was held in great respect by his con-
would probably have been chosen to the vacant temporaries, and deservedly 80.
papacy but for jealousy of his Greek origin enter tion of his opportune conversion at Florence, in
iained by a few of the cardinals. Cardinal Alfonso which, after all, nothing can be urged against him
Borgia was therefore chosen, and assumed the name but the suspiciousness which attaches to every con-
of Callistus or Calixtus III. During the papacy version occurring at a convenient time, his career
of Callistus, and of his successor, Pius II. , Bessarion was exempt from reproach. He supported, by every
was very earnest in rousing the princes and states exertion that his position allowed, the cause of his
of Italy to defend what remained of the Greek falling country, and was a generous patron to his
empire after the fall of Constantinople. He visited exiled fellow-countrymen. His literary labours
Naples, where he was honourably received by the and his important services in the revival of clas-
king, Alfonso; and attended the congress of sical literature, entitle him to the gratitude of suh-
Mantua, held A. D. 1458 or 1459, soon after the sequent ages. His valuable library he gave in his
election of
pope Pius II. , for the purpose of forming lifetime (a. D. 1468) to the library of St. Mark,
a league against the Turks. He shortly after belonging to the republic of Venice; and it was
visited Germany as papal legate, to unite, if pos- deposited first in the ducal palace, and then in a
sible, the Germans and Hungarians in a league building erected for the library, of which the Latin
against the same enemy; but his efforts on all these and Greek MSS. of Bessarion are among the most
occasions failed of their purpose, and he returned to precious treasures.
Rome before the end of 1461. In 1463 he was The works of Bessarion are numerous: they
appointed by the pope bishop of Chalcis, in Negro comprehend original works and translations from
ponte (Euboea), and soon after titular patriarch of Greek into Latin. Of the original works several
Constantinople, in which character he addressed an exist only in MS. in various libraries, especially in
encyclical letter to the clergy of his patriarchate, that of St. Mark at Venice. We give only his
in which he exhorted them to union with the Latin published works: the others are enumerated by
church, and submission to the papal authority. It Bandini, Hody, Cave, and Fabricius. I. THEOLO-
js remarkable that in this letter, according to the GICAL WORKS: 1. Abyos, Sermo; a discourse in
version of Arcadio, he styled himself" oecumenical honour of the Council of Ferrara, delivered at the
patriarch,” notwithstanding the umbrage which that opening of the council, A. D. 1438, and printed in
ambitious title had formerly given (See Nos. 27, the Concilia (vol. xiii. col. 35, &c. , ed. Labbe ; vol.
28, JOANNES CAPPADOX, 1, 2) to the Roman ix. col. 27, ed. Hardouin ; vol. 31, col. 495, &c. , ed.
see, under subjection to which he was now living. Mansi). 2. AdyMaTIKÒS 19 tepl évárews lógos,
During the pontificate of Pius he was made dean Oratio Dogmatica, sive de Unione ; called also De
of the College of Cardinals. In the same year, Compunctione (Panzer, vol. viii. p. 271); delivered
1463, Bessarion was sent as legate to Venice, to at the same council (col. 391, &c. , Labbe ; col. 983,
prevail on the Venetians to unite in a league with &c. , Mansi). 3. Declaratio aliquorum quae in dicta
the pope against the Turks. His efforts on this Oratione Dogmatica continentur, quae Graecis no-
occasion were successful, and he induced the Vene- tissima, Latinis ignota sunt, written in Latin and
tians to fit out a fleet, in which he returned to subjoined to the preceding oration. 4. Ad Alexium
Ancona, just in time to attend the dying bed of the Lascarim Epistola, de Successu Synodi Florentinas
pope, Pius II. , and the election of his successor, et de Processione Spiritus Sancti. The Greek
Paul II, A. D. 1464. During the papacy of the original, with two Latin versions, one by Bessarion
latter (1464—1471) Bessarion mingled littie in | hiinself, and one by Pietro Arcudio, was published
## p. 591 (#607) ############################################
JOANNES
691
a
80. ) 23.
JOANNES.
in the Opriscula! Aurea Thoologica of the latter, by' Allatius (Diatriba de Georgiis, p. 392, and
Rome, 1649: a Latin version appears in the Con- De Consensu Ecclesiae, Occident. et Orient. , lib. iii.
cilia (col. ; 1227; &C. , Labbe). 5. Epistola Catho c. iii. p. 937. ) 18. Ad Thomae Palaeologi Filiorunu
lica sive Encyclica ad Graecos Ecclesiae CPolitanae Paedugogum Epistola. Thomas Palaeologus, despot
subjectos de praestanda Romanas Eoclesiae Obedi of the Mores, and brother of the last Byzantino
ention, Synodique Florentinas Decretis admittendis, et Emperor, Constantine XIII. , when driven out of
do sua in Patriarcham CPolitanum Electione. This the Morea by the Turks, fied with his wife and
letter, noticed in our biographical sketch, was also children to Rome, where he was much indebted to
published by Arcudio with a double version, one the good offices of Bessarion, who, upon his death,
by himself
, and one by Bessarion. A Latin ver. continued his friendly, care towards his orphan
sion, apparently of this letter, as it is entitled children. The letter of Bessarion was printed by
Epistola ad Graecos, was printed with a version Meursius, with the Opuscula of Hesychius of
of the work on the eucharist mentioned below at Miletus (HESYCHIUS, No. 9. ), Leyden, A. D. 1613.
Strasburg, 4to. A. D. 1513. (Panzer, vol. vi. 62. ) A 19. Ad Ducem et Senatum Venetum de Bibliothecas
Latin version also is given by Raynald, Annal. Eo suas Donatione Epistola. This Latin letter is
clesiast. ad ann. 1463, c. lviii. &c. 6. Apologia printed in the Historia Rerum Venetiaruin of Juo-
adversus Gregorium Palamam pro Jo. Vecci, Patri- tiniani, at the end of the eighth book. 20. Monodia
archae CPolitani Libro adrersus Responsiones Grae- in Obitum Manuelis Palaeologi Imperatoris. A
corum de Processione Spiritus Sancti. This work, Latin version of this Monody by Niccolo Perotti
with a Latin version, was published by Arcudio. 7. is given in the Annales Ecclesiastici of Bzovius, vol.
Responsio ad quatuor Argumenta Mazimi Planudae xviii. p. 72, &c. 21. Orationes Quatuor ad Italos.
de Processione Spiritus Sancti ex solo Patre : pub- Three of these orations, designed to rouse the states
lished, with a Latin version, by Arcudio. 8. Grae- and princes of Western Europe against the Turks,
corum Confessio de Verbis Consecrationis, et Transub were published at Paris, A. d. 1471, and apparently
stantiatione. A Latin version of this, by Niccolo a second time in A. D. 1500 (Panzer, vol. ii. p.
Sagundino, is contained in the Museum Italicum of 332), and the whole four in the second volume of
Mabillon, vol. i. part ii. p. 243, &c. 9. De Sancto the Consultationes alque Orationes Turcicae of Ni.
Eucharistiae Mysterio, et quod per Verba Domini colas Reusner. An Italian version, we know not
maxime fiat Consecratio, contra Marcum Ephesium ; whether of the three or four, was printed, probably
or, De Sacramento Eucharistiae, et quibus Verbis at Venice, A. D. 1471. (Panzer, vol. iii.
Christi Corpus conficiatur. A Latin version of this Ad Ludovicum Francorum Regem de sua Electione
was published, as we have noticed above, at Stras- in Legatum ad ipsum et Ducem Burgundiae, pub-
burg, A. D. 1513; and also at Nuremburg, A. D. lished in the Spicilegium of I'Achéry, vol. iv. Paris,
1527. (Panzer, vol. vii. p. 473). One appears in 1661. 23. Various Epistolae and Orationes, in-
the Bibliotheca Putrum (vol. xxvi. p. 787, &c. ed. cluding apparently some of those already noticed,
Lyon. 1677). 10. De ea Parte Evangelii, ' Si eum in 1 vol. 4to. , without note of place or year of pub-
volo manere', &c. , erudita et valde utilis Disceptatio, lication, but known to have been printed by Guil.
printed with the Dialoge of Salonius, of Vienna, Fitchet, Paris, about 1470 or 1472. (Panzer, vol.
4to. Haguenau, 1532, Panzer, vol. vii. p. 109. 11. ii. p. 271. )
Ad Paulum II. P. M. Epistola, qua suas de Pro His versions into Latin were of the following
cessione Spiritus Sancti lucubrationes ei affert et works: 1. Xenophontis de Dictis et Factis Socratis,
dicat ; and, 12. Ad Paulum II. P. M. de Errore Libri IV, printed in various editions of Xenophon,
Paschatis. These two letters are inserted in the and separately in 4to, at Louvain, a, D. 1533. 2.
