Some poems in
lebrates his memory on the 29th of November and iambics on sacred subjects.
lebrates his memory on the 29th of November and iambics on sacred subjects.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
1)
endeavoured to prove, that the historian Ephorus
(Diagoras. )
had stolen whole passages from Daïmachus's work,
since Ephorus lived and wrote before Daïmachus.
Dorieus.
The latter wrote a work on India, which consisted
of at least two books. He had probably acquired
Damagetus.
or at least increased his knowledge of those eastern
countries during his embassy ; but Strabo never-
Diagoras.
theless places him at the head of those who had
circulated false and fabulous accounts about India.
(Comp. Athen. ix. p. 394 ; Harpocrat. s. v. gyu Damagetus. Callipateira. Pherenice.
Onkn; Schol. ad Apollon. Rhod. i. 558. ) We have Acusilaüs.
1
also mention of a very extensive work on sieges Dorieus.
Eucles. Peisodorus.
(πολιορκητικά υπομνήματα) by one Daimachus,
who is probably the same as the author of the In this pedigree the name of the first Diagorae
Indica. "If the reading in Stephanus of Byzantium is inserted by Clavier and Clinton, to supply one
(s. v. Takedaiwáv) is correct, the work on sieges generation, which seems to be wanting in Pausa-
consisted of at least 35 (16) books. (Comp. Eustath. nias.
ad Hom. Il. j. 581. ) The work on India is lost, 2. Of the second Damagetus nothing is known
but the one on sieges may possibly be still con- but his name.
cealed somewhere, for Magius (in Gruter's Fax 3. The third Damagetus was victor in the
Artium, p. 1330) states, that he saw a MS. of it. pancratium on the same day on which his brother
It may be that our Daïmachus is the same as the Acusilaus was rictor in boxing. [DIAGORAS. ]
one quoted by Plutarch (Comparat. Solon. cum (Pind. Ol. 7, and Schol. ; Paus. iv. 24. § 1, vi. 7.
Publ. 4) as an authority on the military exploits $S 1, 2; Aelian, V. H. x. l; Cic. Tusc. i. 46;
of Solon. In another passage of Plutarch (Lusund. Clinton, Fast
. Hell. i. pp. 254, 255. ) [P. S. ]
12), one Laïmachus (according to the common read- DAMAGE'TUS ( Aquayntos), the author of
ing) is mentioned as the author of a work nepi thirteen epigrams in the Greek Anthology, from
eủoebeias, and modern critics have changed the the contents of some of which his time is fixed at
name Laïmachus into Daïmachus, and consider the end of the third century B. C.
He was in-
him to be the same as the historian. In like cluded in the Garland of Meleager. It is not
manner it has been proposed in Diogenes Laërtius known whether he is the same person as the
(i. 30) to read Aatuaxos ó Mataieús instead of Demagetus who is cited by Stephanus Byzan-
Δαιδαχος ο Πλατωνικός, but these are only con- tinus (s. r. 'Axt). The name is also given by
jectural emendations.
(L. S. ] the Scholiast to Apollonius Rhodius (i. 224) in the
DAIPHANTUS (Aatoartos), a Theban, who form Demagetus. (Brunck, Anal. ii. 38, iii. 331 ;
daughter T
30
## p. 930 (#950) ############################################
930
DAMASCENUS.
DAMASCEVUS.
an
Jacobs, Anthol. Graec. ii. 39, xiii. 879, 880; 1 his works, which was prepared and edited hy
Fabric. Bill. Gracc. iv. p. 470. ). (P. S. ] Michael le Quien, Paris, 1712, in 2 vols. fol. ,
DAMAGORAS (Aquazópas), a Rhodinn ad- though it is far froin contnining all the works
iniral in the war against Mithridates. After an that are still extant under his name, and are buried
engagement with the king's fleet, the Rhodians in MS. in the various libraries of Europe. It con-
missed one trireme, and not krowing whether it tains the following works: 1. Keociala diogo-
had been taken by the enemy, they sent out Da- Oiká, or the main points of philosophy and dialec-
magoras with six quick-sailing vessels to search tics. 2. llepi aipeoeuv, on heresies and their
for it. Mithridates attacked him with twenty-five origin. 3. 'ExÔ001s åkpıbris tris òptoðótov Tiotews,
ships, and Damagoras retreated, till about sunset accurate exposition of the orthodox faith.
the king's fleet withdrew. Damagoras then sailed 4. Ipòs Tous Grabadortas tas dgías elkóros,
forth again, sunk two of the king's ships, and a treatise against those who opposed the use of
drove two others upon the coast of Lycia, and in images in churches. 5. nibtidos Trepi opdou a po-
the night returned to Rhodes. (Appian, Mithrid. vonuatos, that is, a confession of faith. 6. Tómos,
25. )
[L. S. ] 1. 6. a work against the Jacobites and Monophysites
DAMALIS (aduanıs), the wife of the Athe- or Eutychians. 7. Κατά Μανιχαίων διάλογος, a
nian general, Chares. She accompanied her hus- discourse against the Manicheans. 8. Alárogos
band, and while he was stationed with his feet LapakTivoŨ kai Xpartiavoù, a dialogue between a
near Byzantium, she died. She is said to have Saracen and a Christian. 9. Περί δρακόντων, και
been buried in a neighbouring place, of the name fragment on dragons. 10. Nepi ayas Tpiádos, on
of Damalis, and to have been honoured with a the holy trinity. 11. Περί του τρισαγίου ύμνου,
monument of the shape of a cow. According to a on the hymn entitled Trisagium. 12. llepThe
mythical tradition, lo on her wandering landed at Sylwv vnoteWv, on fasts. 13. Tepl TWY ØKTW tñs
Damalis, and the Chalcedonians erected a bronze Tovnpías avevuátwv, on the eight spirits of wick-
cow on the spot. (Symeon Mag. de Constant. Poredness. 14. Εισαγωγή δογμάτων στοιχειώδης,
phyr. p. 729, ed. Bonn; comp. Polyb. v. 43. ) (L. S. ] elementary instruction in the Christian dogmas.
DAMARATUS. [DEMARATUS. ]
15. Περί συνθέτου φύσεως, a treatise directed
DAMA’RETE. [DEMARETE. ]
against the Acephalians. 16. Depi Twv év To
DAMASCENUS, JOANNES (Ιωάννης Δα- Χριστφ δύο θελημάτων και ενεργειών και λοιπών
Maornvós), a voluminous ecclesiastical writer, who I QUO IWv idwuátwv, on the twofold will and action
flourished during the first half of the eighth cen- of Christ, and on the other physical properties.
tury after Christ, in the reigns of Leo Isauricus | 17. 'Έπος ακριβέστατον κατα θεοστυγούς αιρέσεως
and Constantine VII. He was a native of Da- των Νεστοριανών, against the heresies of the Nes-
mascus, whence he derived his surname, and be- torians. 18. A number of fragments on various
longed to a family of high rank. His oratorical subjects. 19. Tiap xáatov, or a paschal canon.
powers procured him the surname of Chrysorrhoas, 20. A fragment of a letter on the nature of man.
but he was also stigmatized by his enemies with | 21. A treatise on those who had died in the faith
various derogatory nicknames, such as Sarabaita, of Christ, and on the manner in which their souls
Mansur, and Arclas. He devoted himself to the may be benefited by masses and alms. 22. A
service of the church, and after having obtained | letter on confession. 23. Λόγος αποδεικτικός
the dignity of presbyter, he entered the monastery Tepi Twv dylwv Kal OETTwv cikóvwv, an oration on
of St. Saba at Jerusalem, where he spent the re- the veneration due to sacred images. 24. An epis
mainder of his life, devoting himself to literary tle on the same subject, addressed to Theophilus.
pursuits, especially the study of theology. He 25. Tepl Tŵr afuuwv, on the feast of unleavened
seems to have died, at the earliest, about A. D. 756, bread. 26. An epistle addressed to Zacharias,
and his tomb was shewn near St. Saba down to a bishop of the Doari. 27. An exposition of the
very late period. He is regarded as a saint both Christian faith : it is only in Latin, and a transla-
by the Greek and Latin churches; the former ce- tion from an Arabic MS. 28.
Some poems in
lebrates his memory on the 29th of November and iambics on sacred subjects. 29. An abridgment
the 4th of December, and the latter on the 6th of of the interpretation of the letters of St. Paul by
Mar. His life, which is still extant, was written Joannes Chrysostomus. 30. Ιερά παράλληλα,
by Joannes, patriarch of Jerusalem ; but little sacred parallels, consisting of passages of Scripture
confidence can be placed in it, as the facts are compared with the doctrines of the early fathers.
there mixed up with the most incredible stories. 31. A number of homilies. (Fabric. Bill. Graec.
It is printed in Surius's Lives of the Saints, under ix. pp. 68-2-744; Cave, Hist. Lit. i. p. 482, &c. ,
the 6th of May.
ed. London, 1688. )
(L. S. ]
All the writers who mention Joannes Damas- DAMASCENÚS, NICOLAI'S (Nikónaos aa-
cenus agree in asserting, that he surpassed all his uaoxnvós), a famous Greek polyhistor, who lived
contemporaries as a philosopher and by the exten in the time of Herod the Great and the emperor
sive range of his knowledge. This reputation is Augustus, with both of whom he was connected
sufficiently supported by the great number of his by intimate friendship. He was, as his name in-
works which have come down to us, though he dicates, a native of Damascus, and the son of An-
was extremely deficient in critical judgment, which tipater and Stratonice. His parents were distin-
is most apparent in the stories which he relates in guished no less for their personal character than
confirmation of the doctrines he propounds. He for their wealth, and his father, who was a highly
was a strong opponent of those who insisted upon esteemed orator, was not only inrested with the
removing all images from the Christian churches, highest magistracies in his native place, but was
and upon abolishing prayers for the dead. We employed on various embassies. Nicolaus and his
pass over the several collections of his works, brother Ptolemaeus were instructed from their
as well as the separate editions of single treatises, childhood in everything that was good and useful.
and only refer our readers to the best edition of Nicolaus in particular shewed great talents, and
:
a
## p. 931 (#951) ############################################
DAMASCENUS.
931
DAMASCENUS.
eren before he attained the age of puberty, he ob- | Nicolaus, written by himself, of which a consider-
tained the reputation of being the most accom- able portion is still extant, from Suidas, and from
plished among the youths of his age; and at that Josephus. (Antiq. Jud. xvi. 15, 16, 17, xrii. 7, 11. )
early age he composed tragedies and comedies, | The writings of Nicolaus were partly poetical,
which met with general applausc. But he soon partly historical, and partly philosophical. With
abandoned these poetical pursuits, and devoted regard to his tragedies, we know only the title of
himself to rhetoric, music, mathematics, and the one, called Lwoavis or Swodvrns (Eustath. ad
philosophy of Aristotle. Herod carried on his Dionys. Perieg. 976), but no fragments are extant.
philosophical studies in common with Nicolaus, A considerable fragment one of his comedies,
and the amicable relation between the two men which consists of 44 lines, and gives us a favour-
was strengthened by these common pursuits. In able opinion of his poetical talent, is preserved in
B. c. 14, he prevailed upon Herod to interfere with Stobaeus. The most important, however, among his
Agrippa on behalf of the citizens of Ilium, who works were those of an historical nature. 1. The
were to be sererely punished for having been ap- first is his autobiography, which we have already
parently wanting in attention to Agrippa's wift, mentioned. 2. A universal history, which con-
Julia, the daughter of Augustus. It was about sisted of 144 books. (Athen. vi. p. 249. ) Suidas
the same time that he used his influence with He states, that it contained only 80 books, but the
rod to prevail upon Agrippa to put an end to the 124th is quoted by Josephus. ( Antiq. Jud. xii. 3. )
annoyances to which the Jews in Ionia were con- The title iotopla kabonian, under which this work
stantly exposed. In a conversation with Herod is mentioned by Suidas, does not occur elsewhere.
Nicolaus once directed his attention to the advan. As far as we can judge from the fragments still ex-
tages which a prince might derive from history; tant, it treated chiefly of the history of the Asiatic
and the king, who was struck by the truth of the nations ; but whether the 'Acouplakal iotopía. of
observation, entreated Nicolaus to write a history, which Photius (Bill. Cod. 189) speaks is the same
Nicolaus complied with the request, and compiled as the universal history, or only a portion of it, or
a most voluminous work on universal history, the whether it was a separate work, cannot be deter-
accomplishment of which, in his opinion, surpassed mined with any certainty. The universal history
even the hardest among the labours of Heracles. was composed at the request of Herod, and seems
In B. c. 13, when Herod went to Rome to pay to bave been a hurried compilation, in which Ni-
Augustus a visit, he took Nicolaus with him, and colaus, without exercising any criticism, incorpo
both travelled in the same vessel. On that occa- rated whatever he found related by earlier histo-
sion, Nicolaus made Augustus a present of the rians. 3. A life of Augustus. This work is lost,
finest fruit of the palm-tree, which Augustus like the rest, with the exception of excerpta which
henceforth called Nicolai, a name by which that were made from it by the command of Constantinus
fruit was known down to the middle ages. Some Porphyrogenitus. These excerpta shew that the
writers speak of cakes (ahakoûvTES) which Nico-author was not much concerned about accuracy,
laus presented to Augustus, but this is evidently a and that the biography was more of a eulogy than
mistake. (Suid. s. v. Nikólaos; Athen. xiv. p. 652; of a history. Some writers have been of opinion,
Plut. Sympos, viii. 4; Isidor. Orig. xvii. 7; Plin. that this biography formed a part of the universal
H. N. xiii. 4. ) When Herod, by his success history; but there seems to be no ground for this
against some Arab chiefs, bad drawn upon himself hypothesis. 4. A life of Herod. There is no
the enmity of Augustus, and the latter declined to express testimony for a separate work of this name,
receive any ambassadors, Herod, who knew the but the way in which Josephus speaks of the man-
influence which Nicolaus possessed with the em- ner in which Nicolaus treated Herod, and defended
peror, sent him to negotiate. Nicolaus, by very his cruelties, or passed them over in silence, if he
skiiful management, succeeded in turning the could not defend them, scarcely admits of a doubt
anger of Augustus against the Arabs, and in re- as to the existence of a separate work on the life
storing the friendship between Augustus and He- of Herod. 5. 'HOWv tapað účuv quvaywrn, that is,
rod. When Alexander and Aristobulus, the sons a collection of singular customs among the various
of Herod, were suspected of plotting against their nations of the earth. It was dedicated to Herod
father, Nicolaus endeavoured to induce the king (Phot. Bibl. Cod. 189), and Stobaeus has preserved
not to proceed to extremities against his sons, but many passages from it. Valesius and others think
in vain: the two sons were put to death, and that these passages did not originally belong to a
Nicolaus afterwards degraded himself by defend separate work, but were extracted from the uni-
ing and justifying this cruel act of his royal friend. versal history. Of his philosophical works, which
On the death of Herod, Archelaus succeeded to consisted partly of independent treatises and partly
the throne, chiefly through the exertions of Nico- of paraphrases of Aristotle's works, no fragments
laus. We have no account of what became of are extant, except a few statements in Simplicius'
Nicolaus after this event, and how long he sur- commentaries on Aristotle. The extant fragments
vived it.
of Nicolaus were first edited in a Latin version by
Plutarch (l. c. ) describes Nicolaus as possessing a N. Cragius, Geneva, 1593, 4to.
The Greek ori-
tall and slender figure, with a red face. In private ginals with a Latin translation were first edited
life, as well as in intercourse with others, he was a by H. Valesius in his " Excerpta Polybii, Diodori,”
man of the most amiable disposition : he was mo- &c. , Paris, 1634, 4to.
The best and most com-
dest, just, and liberal in a high degree; and al-plete edition, with Latin translations by Valesius
though he disgraced himself by his flattery and and H. Grotius, is that of J. C. Orelli
, Leipzig,
partiality towards Herod, he neglected the great 1804, 8vo. It also contains a good dissertation
and powerful at Rome so much, that he is censured on the life and writings of Nicolaus by the Abbé
for baving preferred the society of plebeians to Sevin, which originally appeared in the Mémoires
that of the nobles. The information which we de l'Acad. des Inscript. vi. p. 486, &c. In 1811,
have here given is derived partly from a life of | Orelli published a supplement to his edition, which
3
302
## p. 932 (#952) ############################################
932
DAMASCIUS.
DAM:ISIPPUS.
a
contains notes and emendations by A. Coray, ) is extant in the trcatise nepl Toù gevintoù, pul).
Creuzer, Schweighäuser, and others. [L. S. ] lished by Iriarte (Catul. MISS. Bill. Mudril, i.
DAMA'SCIUS (Aaudokios), the Syrian (o p. 130) under the name of Damascius. Such a
Zúpos), of Damascus, whence he derived his namc, commentary of Damascius as extant in manuscript
the last of the renowned teachers of the Neo-Pla-(Tapekbonal, in Aristot. lib. i. de Cuelo) is also
tonic philosophy at Athens, was born towards the mentioned by Labbens (Bill. Nov. MSS. pp. 112,
end of the fifth century of the Christian era. 169). The writings of Damascius hepà kirjoews,
His national Syrian name is unknown. He περί τόπου, and περί χρόνου, cited by Simplicius
repaired at an early period to Alexandria, where in his commentary on Aristotle's Physica (fol. 189,
he first studied rhetoric under the rhetorician b. , 155, il. , 183, b. ), are perhaps only paris of his
Theon, and mathematics and philosophy under commentaries on the Aristotelian writings. Fabri-
Ammonius, the son of Hermeas (see p. 146, a. ), cius (Bill. Gruce. vol. ii. p. 294) atıributes to him
and Isidorus. From Alexandria Damascius went the composition of an epitoine of the first four and
to Athens, where Neo-Platonism existed in its the eighth book of Aristotle's Physica. 4. But of
setting glory under Marinus and Zenodotus, the much greater importance is Damascius's biography
successors of the celebrated Proclus. He became of his preceptor Isidorus ('loidupov Bios, perhaps
a disciple of both, and afterwards their successor a port of the φιλόσοφος ιστορία attributed to ba-
(whence his surname of o dicooxos), and he was mascius by Suidas, i. p. 506), of which Photius
the last who taught in the cathedra of Platonic (Cod. 242, comp. 181) has preserved a considera-
philosophy at Athens; for in the year 529 the ble fragment, and gives at the same time some im-
emperor Justinian closed the heathen schools of portant information respecting the life and studies
philosophy at Athens, and most of the philosophers, of Damascius. This biography appears to have
and among them Damascius, emigrated to king been reckoned by the ancients the most important
Chosroë's of Persia. At a later time (533), how of the works of Damascius. 5. nóyou lapáðogol,
ever, Damascius appears to have returned to the in 4 books, of which Photius (Cod. 130) also gives
West, since Chosroës had stipulated in a treaty of an account and specifies the respective titles of
peace that the religion and philosophy of the hea- the books. (Comp. Westermann, Rerum Miralil.
then votaries of the Platonic philosophy should be Scriptores, Proleg. p. xxix. ) Photius praises the
tolerated by the Byzantine emperor. " (Brucker, succinct, clear, and pleasing style of this work ;
Hist. Philosoph. ii. p. 345; Agathias, Scholast. ii. though, as a Christian, he in other respects vehe-
p. 49, &c. , p.
endeavoured to prove, that the historian Ephorus
(Diagoras. )
had stolen whole passages from Daïmachus's work,
since Ephorus lived and wrote before Daïmachus.
Dorieus.
The latter wrote a work on India, which consisted
of at least two books. He had probably acquired
Damagetus.
or at least increased his knowledge of those eastern
countries during his embassy ; but Strabo never-
Diagoras.
theless places him at the head of those who had
circulated false and fabulous accounts about India.
(Comp. Athen. ix. p. 394 ; Harpocrat. s. v. gyu Damagetus. Callipateira. Pherenice.
Onkn; Schol. ad Apollon. Rhod. i. 558. ) We have Acusilaüs.
1
also mention of a very extensive work on sieges Dorieus.
Eucles. Peisodorus.
(πολιορκητικά υπομνήματα) by one Daimachus,
who is probably the same as the author of the In this pedigree the name of the first Diagorae
Indica. "If the reading in Stephanus of Byzantium is inserted by Clavier and Clinton, to supply one
(s. v. Takedaiwáv) is correct, the work on sieges generation, which seems to be wanting in Pausa-
consisted of at least 35 (16) books. (Comp. Eustath. nias.
ad Hom. Il. j. 581. ) The work on India is lost, 2. Of the second Damagetus nothing is known
but the one on sieges may possibly be still con- but his name.
cealed somewhere, for Magius (in Gruter's Fax 3. The third Damagetus was victor in the
Artium, p. 1330) states, that he saw a MS. of it. pancratium on the same day on which his brother
It may be that our Daïmachus is the same as the Acusilaus was rictor in boxing. [DIAGORAS. ]
one quoted by Plutarch (Comparat. Solon. cum (Pind. Ol. 7, and Schol. ; Paus. iv. 24. § 1, vi. 7.
Publ. 4) as an authority on the military exploits $S 1, 2; Aelian, V. H. x. l; Cic. Tusc. i. 46;
of Solon. In another passage of Plutarch (Lusund. Clinton, Fast
. Hell. i. pp. 254, 255. ) [P. S. ]
12), one Laïmachus (according to the common read- DAMAGE'TUS ( Aquayntos), the author of
ing) is mentioned as the author of a work nepi thirteen epigrams in the Greek Anthology, from
eủoebeias, and modern critics have changed the the contents of some of which his time is fixed at
name Laïmachus into Daïmachus, and consider the end of the third century B. C.
He was in-
him to be the same as the historian. In like cluded in the Garland of Meleager. It is not
manner it has been proposed in Diogenes Laërtius known whether he is the same person as the
(i. 30) to read Aatuaxos ó Mataieús instead of Demagetus who is cited by Stephanus Byzan-
Δαιδαχος ο Πλατωνικός, but these are only con- tinus (s. r. 'Axt). The name is also given by
jectural emendations.
(L. S. ] the Scholiast to Apollonius Rhodius (i. 224) in the
DAIPHANTUS (Aatoartos), a Theban, who form Demagetus. (Brunck, Anal. ii. 38, iii. 331 ;
daughter T
30
## p. 930 (#950) ############################################
930
DAMASCENUS.
DAMASCEVUS.
an
Jacobs, Anthol. Graec. ii. 39, xiii. 879, 880; 1 his works, which was prepared and edited hy
Fabric. Bill. Gracc. iv. p. 470. ). (P. S. ] Michael le Quien, Paris, 1712, in 2 vols. fol. ,
DAMAGORAS (Aquazópas), a Rhodinn ad- though it is far froin contnining all the works
iniral in the war against Mithridates. After an that are still extant under his name, and are buried
engagement with the king's fleet, the Rhodians in MS. in the various libraries of Europe. It con-
missed one trireme, and not krowing whether it tains the following works: 1. Keociala diogo-
had been taken by the enemy, they sent out Da- Oiká, or the main points of philosophy and dialec-
magoras with six quick-sailing vessels to search tics. 2. llepi aipeoeuv, on heresies and their
for it. Mithridates attacked him with twenty-five origin. 3. 'ExÔ001s åkpıbris tris òptoðótov Tiotews,
ships, and Damagoras retreated, till about sunset accurate exposition of the orthodox faith.
the king's fleet withdrew. Damagoras then sailed 4. Ipòs Tous Grabadortas tas dgías elkóros,
forth again, sunk two of the king's ships, and a treatise against those who opposed the use of
drove two others upon the coast of Lycia, and in images in churches. 5. nibtidos Trepi opdou a po-
the night returned to Rhodes. (Appian, Mithrid. vonuatos, that is, a confession of faith. 6. Tómos,
25. )
[L. S. ] 1. 6. a work against the Jacobites and Monophysites
DAMALIS (aduanıs), the wife of the Athe- or Eutychians. 7. Κατά Μανιχαίων διάλογος, a
nian general, Chares. She accompanied her hus- discourse against the Manicheans. 8. Alárogos
band, and while he was stationed with his feet LapakTivoŨ kai Xpartiavoù, a dialogue between a
near Byzantium, she died. She is said to have Saracen and a Christian. 9. Περί δρακόντων, και
been buried in a neighbouring place, of the name fragment on dragons. 10. Nepi ayas Tpiádos, on
of Damalis, and to have been honoured with a the holy trinity. 11. Περί του τρισαγίου ύμνου,
monument of the shape of a cow. According to a on the hymn entitled Trisagium. 12. llepThe
mythical tradition, lo on her wandering landed at Sylwv vnoteWv, on fasts. 13. Tepl TWY ØKTW tñs
Damalis, and the Chalcedonians erected a bronze Tovnpías avevuátwv, on the eight spirits of wick-
cow on the spot. (Symeon Mag. de Constant. Poredness. 14. Εισαγωγή δογμάτων στοιχειώδης,
phyr. p. 729, ed. Bonn; comp. Polyb. v. 43. ) (L. S. ] elementary instruction in the Christian dogmas.
DAMARATUS. [DEMARATUS. ]
15. Περί συνθέτου φύσεως, a treatise directed
DAMA’RETE. [DEMARETE. ]
against the Acephalians. 16. Depi Twv év To
DAMASCENUS, JOANNES (Ιωάννης Δα- Χριστφ δύο θελημάτων και ενεργειών και λοιπών
Maornvós), a voluminous ecclesiastical writer, who I QUO IWv idwuátwv, on the twofold will and action
flourished during the first half of the eighth cen- of Christ, and on the other physical properties.
tury after Christ, in the reigns of Leo Isauricus | 17. 'Έπος ακριβέστατον κατα θεοστυγούς αιρέσεως
and Constantine VII. He was a native of Da- των Νεστοριανών, against the heresies of the Nes-
mascus, whence he derived his surname, and be- torians. 18. A number of fragments on various
longed to a family of high rank. His oratorical subjects. 19. Tiap xáatov, or a paschal canon.
powers procured him the surname of Chrysorrhoas, 20. A fragment of a letter on the nature of man.
but he was also stigmatized by his enemies with | 21. A treatise on those who had died in the faith
various derogatory nicknames, such as Sarabaita, of Christ, and on the manner in which their souls
Mansur, and Arclas. He devoted himself to the may be benefited by masses and alms. 22. A
service of the church, and after having obtained | letter on confession. 23. Λόγος αποδεικτικός
the dignity of presbyter, he entered the monastery Tepi Twv dylwv Kal OETTwv cikóvwv, an oration on
of St. Saba at Jerusalem, where he spent the re- the veneration due to sacred images. 24. An epis
mainder of his life, devoting himself to literary tle on the same subject, addressed to Theophilus.
pursuits, especially the study of theology. He 25. Tepl Tŵr afuuwv, on the feast of unleavened
seems to have died, at the earliest, about A. D. 756, bread. 26. An epistle addressed to Zacharias,
and his tomb was shewn near St. Saba down to a bishop of the Doari. 27. An exposition of the
very late period. He is regarded as a saint both Christian faith : it is only in Latin, and a transla-
by the Greek and Latin churches; the former ce- tion from an Arabic MS. 28.
Some poems in
lebrates his memory on the 29th of November and iambics on sacred subjects. 29. An abridgment
the 4th of December, and the latter on the 6th of of the interpretation of the letters of St. Paul by
Mar. His life, which is still extant, was written Joannes Chrysostomus. 30. Ιερά παράλληλα,
by Joannes, patriarch of Jerusalem ; but little sacred parallels, consisting of passages of Scripture
confidence can be placed in it, as the facts are compared with the doctrines of the early fathers.
there mixed up with the most incredible stories. 31. A number of homilies. (Fabric. Bill. Graec.
It is printed in Surius's Lives of the Saints, under ix. pp. 68-2-744; Cave, Hist. Lit. i. p. 482, &c. ,
the 6th of May.
ed. London, 1688. )
(L. S. ]
All the writers who mention Joannes Damas- DAMASCENÚS, NICOLAI'S (Nikónaos aa-
cenus agree in asserting, that he surpassed all his uaoxnvós), a famous Greek polyhistor, who lived
contemporaries as a philosopher and by the exten in the time of Herod the Great and the emperor
sive range of his knowledge. This reputation is Augustus, with both of whom he was connected
sufficiently supported by the great number of his by intimate friendship. He was, as his name in-
works which have come down to us, though he dicates, a native of Damascus, and the son of An-
was extremely deficient in critical judgment, which tipater and Stratonice. His parents were distin-
is most apparent in the stories which he relates in guished no less for their personal character than
confirmation of the doctrines he propounds. He for their wealth, and his father, who was a highly
was a strong opponent of those who insisted upon esteemed orator, was not only inrested with the
removing all images from the Christian churches, highest magistracies in his native place, but was
and upon abolishing prayers for the dead. We employed on various embassies. Nicolaus and his
pass over the several collections of his works, brother Ptolemaeus were instructed from their
as well as the separate editions of single treatises, childhood in everything that was good and useful.
and only refer our readers to the best edition of Nicolaus in particular shewed great talents, and
:
a
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DAMASCENUS.
931
DAMASCENUS.
eren before he attained the age of puberty, he ob- | Nicolaus, written by himself, of which a consider-
tained the reputation of being the most accom- able portion is still extant, from Suidas, and from
plished among the youths of his age; and at that Josephus. (Antiq. Jud. xvi. 15, 16, 17, xrii. 7, 11. )
early age he composed tragedies and comedies, | The writings of Nicolaus were partly poetical,
which met with general applausc. But he soon partly historical, and partly philosophical. With
abandoned these poetical pursuits, and devoted regard to his tragedies, we know only the title of
himself to rhetoric, music, mathematics, and the one, called Lwoavis or Swodvrns (Eustath. ad
philosophy of Aristotle. Herod carried on his Dionys. Perieg. 976), but no fragments are extant.
philosophical studies in common with Nicolaus, A considerable fragment one of his comedies,
and the amicable relation between the two men which consists of 44 lines, and gives us a favour-
was strengthened by these common pursuits. In able opinion of his poetical talent, is preserved in
B. c. 14, he prevailed upon Herod to interfere with Stobaeus. The most important, however, among his
Agrippa on behalf of the citizens of Ilium, who works were those of an historical nature. 1. The
were to be sererely punished for having been ap- first is his autobiography, which we have already
parently wanting in attention to Agrippa's wift, mentioned. 2. A universal history, which con-
Julia, the daughter of Augustus. It was about sisted of 144 books. (Athen. vi. p. 249. ) Suidas
the same time that he used his influence with He states, that it contained only 80 books, but the
rod to prevail upon Agrippa to put an end to the 124th is quoted by Josephus. ( Antiq. Jud. xii. 3. )
annoyances to which the Jews in Ionia were con- The title iotopla kabonian, under which this work
stantly exposed. In a conversation with Herod is mentioned by Suidas, does not occur elsewhere.
Nicolaus once directed his attention to the advan. As far as we can judge from the fragments still ex-
tages which a prince might derive from history; tant, it treated chiefly of the history of the Asiatic
and the king, who was struck by the truth of the nations ; but whether the 'Acouplakal iotopía. of
observation, entreated Nicolaus to write a history, which Photius (Bill. Cod. 189) speaks is the same
Nicolaus complied with the request, and compiled as the universal history, or only a portion of it, or
a most voluminous work on universal history, the whether it was a separate work, cannot be deter-
accomplishment of which, in his opinion, surpassed mined with any certainty. The universal history
even the hardest among the labours of Heracles. was composed at the request of Herod, and seems
In B. c. 13, when Herod went to Rome to pay to bave been a hurried compilation, in which Ni-
Augustus a visit, he took Nicolaus with him, and colaus, without exercising any criticism, incorpo
both travelled in the same vessel. On that occa- rated whatever he found related by earlier histo-
sion, Nicolaus made Augustus a present of the rians. 3. A life of Augustus. This work is lost,
finest fruit of the palm-tree, which Augustus like the rest, with the exception of excerpta which
henceforth called Nicolai, a name by which that were made from it by the command of Constantinus
fruit was known down to the middle ages. Some Porphyrogenitus. These excerpta shew that the
writers speak of cakes (ahakoûvTES) which Nico-author was not much concerned about accuracy,
laus presented to Augustus, but this is evidently a and that the biography was more of a eulogy than
mistake. (Suid. s. v. Nikólaos; Athen. xiv. p. 652; of a history. Some writers have been of opinion,
Plut. Sympos, viii. 4; Isidor. Orig. xvii. 7; Plin. that this biography formed a part of the universal
H. N. xiii. 4. ) When Herod, by his success history; but there seems to be no ground for this
against some Arab chiefs, bad drawn upon himself hypothesis. 4. A life of Herod. There is no
the enmity of Augustus, and the latter declined to express testimony for a separate work of this name,
receive any ambassadors, Herod, who knew the but the way in which Josephus speaks of the man-
influence which Nicolaus possessed with the em- ner in which Nicolaus treated Herod, and defended
peror, sent him to negotiate. Nicolaus, by very his cruelties, or passed them over in silence, if he
skiiful management, succeeded in turning the could not defend them, scarcely admits of a doubt
anger of Augustus against the Arabs, and in re- as to the existence of a separate work on the life
storing the friendship between Augustus and He- of Herod. 5. 'HOWv tapað účuv quvaywrn, that is,
rod. When Alexander and Aristobulus, the sons a collection of singular customs among the various
of Herod, were suspected of plotting against their nations of the earth. It was dedicated to Herod
father, Nicolaus endeavoured to induce the king (Phot. Bibl. Cod. 189), and Stobaeus has preserved
not to proceed to extremities against his sons, but many passages from it. Valesius and others think
in vain: the two sons were put to death, and that these passages did not originally belong to a
Nicolaus afterwards degraded himself by defend separate work, but were extracted from the uni-
ing and justifying this cruel act of his royal friend. versal history. Of his philosophical works, which
On the death of Herod, Archelaus succeeded to consisted partly of independent treatises and partly
the throne, chiefly through the exertions of Nico- of paraphrases of Aristotle's works, no fragments
laus. We have no account of what became of are extant, except a few statements in Simplicius'
Nicolaus after this event, and how long he sur- commentaries on Aristotle. The extant fragments
vived it.
of Nicolaus were first edited in a Latin version by
Plutarch (l. c. ) describes Nicolaus as possessing a N. Cragius, Geneva, 1593, 4to.
The Greek ori-
tall and slender figure, with a red face. In private ginals with a Latin translation were first edited
life, as well as in intercourse with others, he was a by H. Valesius in his " Excerpta Polybii, Diodori,”
man of the most amiable disposition : he was mo- &c. , Paris, 1634, 4to.
The best and most com-
dest, just, and liberal in a high degree; and al-plete edition, with Latin translations by Valesius
though he disgraced himself by his flattery and and H. Grotius, is that of J. C. Orelli
, Leipzig,
partiality towards Herod, he neglected the great 1804, 8vo. It also contains a good dissertation
and powerful at Rome so much, that he is censured on the life and writings of Nicolaus by the Abbé
for baving preferred the society of plebeians to Sevin, which originally appeared in the Mémoires
that of the nobles. The information which we de l'Acad. des Inscript. vi. p. 486, &c. In 1811,
have here given is derived partly from a life of | Orelli published a supplement to his edition, which
3
302
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932
DAMASCIUS.
DAM:ISIPPUS.
a
contains notes and emendations by A. Coray, ) is extant in the trcatise nepl Toù gevintoù, pul).
Creuzer, Schweighäuser, and others. [L. S. ] lished by Iriarte (Catul. MISS. Bill. Mudril, i.
DAMA'SCIUS (Aaudokios), the Syrian (o p. 130) under the name of Damascius. Such a
Zúpos), of Damascus, whence he derived his namc, commentary of Damascius as extant in manuscript
the last of the renowned teachers of the Neo-Pla-(Tapekbonal, in Aristot. lib. i. de Cuelo) is also
tonic philosophy at Athens, was born towards the mentioned by Labbens (Bill. Nov. MSS. pp. 112,
end of the fifth century of the Christian era. 169). The writings of Damascius hepà kirjoews,
His national Syrian name is unknown. He περί τόπου, and περί χρόνου, cited by Simplicius
repaired at an early period to Alexandria, where in his commentary on Aristotle's Physica (fol. 189,
he first studied rhetoric under the rhetorician b. , 155, il. , 183, b. ), are perhaps only paris of his
Theon, and mathematics and philosophy under commentaries on the Aristotelian writings. Fabri-
Ammonius, the son of Hermeas (see p. 146, a. ), cius (Bill. Gruce. vol. ii. p. 294) atıributes to him
and Isidorus. From Alexandria Damascius went the composition of an epitoine of the first four and
to Athens, where Neo-Platonism existed in its the eighth book of Aristotle's Physica. 4. But of
setting glory under Marinus and Zenodotus, the much greater importance is Damascius's biography
successors of the celebrated Proclus. He became of his preceptor Isidorus ('loidupov Bios, perhaps
a disciple of both, and afterwards their successor a port of the φιλόσοφος ιστορία attributed to ba-
(whence his surname of o dicooxos), and he was mascius by Suidas, i. p. 506), of which Photius
the last who taught in the cathedra of Platonic (Cod. 242, comp. 181) has preserved a considera-
philosophy at Athens; for in the year 529 the ble fragment, and gives at the same time some im-
emperor Justinian closed the heathen schools of portant information respecting the life and studies
philosophy at Athens, and most of the philosophers, of Damascius. This biography appears to have
and among them Damascius, emigrated to king been reckoned by the ancients the most important
Chosroë's of Persia. At a later time (533), how of the works of Damascius. 5. nóyou lapáðogol,
ever, Damascius appears to have returned to the in 4 books, of which Photius (Cod. 130) also gives
West, since Chosroës had stipulated in a treaty of an account and specifies the respective titles of
peace that the religion and philosophy of the hea- the books. (Comp. Westermann, Rerum Miralil.
then votaries of the Platonic philosophy should be Scriptores, Proleg. p. xxix. ) Photius praises the
tolerated by the Byzantine emperor. " (Brucker, succinct, clear, and pleasing style of this work ;
Hist. Philosoph. ii. p. 345; Agathias, Scholast. ii. though, as a Christian, he in other respects vehe-
p. 49, &c. , p.
