(), archbishop of Thessalonica, was
the nephew and successor of Neilus Cabasilas, with whom he has often been confounded. He lived
about A. D. 1350. He first held a high office at the imperial court
of Constantinople, and in that capacity he was sent in 1346 by Joannes, patriarch of
Constantinople, to the emperor Cantacuzenus to induce him to resign the imperial dignity. In
the year following he was sent by the emperor Cantacuzenus himself, who had then conquered and
entered the city, to the palace of the empress Anna, to lay before her the terms of peace
proposed by the conqueror. (Cantacuz. Hist. Byz. 4.39, &c., 14.16.)
Nicolaus Cabasilas, who was a man of great learning, wrote several works, of which however
only a few have been published, perhaps because he was, like his uncle, a vehement antagonist
of the Latin church.
Works
The following works have appeared in print:
1. Ἑρμηνεία κεφαλειώδης &c.
that is, a compendious explanation of the holy mass or liturgy.
Editions
Latin Editions
It first appeared in a Latin translation by Gentianus Heruetianus, Venice, 1548,
8vo., from whence it was reprinted in the "Liturgia SS. Patrum," edited by
J. S. Andreas and F. C. de Sainctes, Paris, 1560, fol., and Antwerp, 1562, 8vo.,
and also in the Biblioth. Patr. xxvi. p. 173, ed. Lugd.
Greek Editions
The Greek original was first edited by Fronto Ducaeus in the Auctarium to the
Bibl. Patr. of 1624, vol. ii. p. 200, &c.
2. A work on the life of Christ
in six books, in which, however, the author treats principally of baptism, the last
unction, and the eucharist.
Editions
This work is as yet published only in a Latin version by J. Pontanus, together with
some other works, and also an oration of Nicol. Cabasilas against usury, Ingolstadt, 1604,
4to. From this edition it was reprinted in the Bibl.
Patr. xxvi. p. 136, ed. Lugd.
In some MSS. this work consists of seven books, but the seventh has never appeared in
print.
3. An oration on <pb n="521"/> Usury and against Usurers
Editions
A Latin translation was published by J. Pontanus together with Cabasilas' life of
Christ.The Greek original of this oration appeared at August. Vindel. 1595 by D.
Hoeschel, and was afterwards published in a more correct form, together with
the oration of Epiphanius on the burial of Christ, by S. Simonides, Samoscii, 1604,
4to.
Other works
The many other orations and theological works of Nicolaus Cabasilas, which have not yet
been printed, are enumerated in Fabric.
Further Information
Bibl. Graec. x. p. 25. &c.; comp. Wharton's
Appendix to Cave's Hist. Lit. i. p. 44. ed. London.