), one of the most learned Greeks
of his time, contributed to the revival of Greek literature in western Europe.
Towards the close of the fourteenth century the Greek empire was in the greatest danger of
being overthrown by sultan Bayazid II., who, however, was checked in his ambitious designs by
Timur, and being taken prisoner by him, died in captivity. Before this event, and probably in
A. D. 1389, Manuel Chrysoloras was sent by the emperor Manuel
Palaeologus to some European kings (among others to the English), at whose courts he remained
several years, endeavouring to persuade them to undertake a crusade against the Turks. His
efforts, however, were unsuccessful, for the western princes had no confidence in the Greek
emperor, nor in his promises to effect the union of the Greek with the Latin church. Having
become acquainted with several of the most learned Italians, he accepted their proposition to
settle in Italy and to lecture on the Greek language and literature. This he did with great
success in Venice, Florence, Milan (1397), Pavia, and Rome: his most distinguished pupils were
Leonardo Aretino, Leonardo Bruni, Poggio Bracciotini, Filelfo, Francisco Strozzi, and many
more. His renown as a learned priest and eloquent orator were so great, that he was sent to
the council of Constance, where he died a short time after his arrival, in the month of April,
1415. He was buried in the church of the Dominicans at Constance, and Aeneas Sylvius wrote his
epitaph, which is given in the works cited below.
Works
Manuel Chrysoloras was the author of several treatises on religious subjects, and a
considerable number of letters on various topics, which are extaut in different libraries in
Italy, France, Germany, and Sweden. Only two of his works have been printed, viz.,
1. Epistolae III de Comparatione Veteris et Novae
Romae
These letters are elegantly written. The first is rather prolix, and is addressed to the
emperor John Palaeologus; the second to John Chrysoloras; and the third to Demetrius
Chrysoloras. This John Chrysoloras, the contemporary of Manuel and Demetrius Chrysoloras,
wrote some treatises and letters of little importance, several of which are extant in
MS.
Editions
The Greek text with a Latin version by Petrus Lambecius, appended to " Codices de
Antiquitatibus Constantinop." Paris, 1665, fol.
2. Ἐρώτηματα sive Quaestiones (that is, Grammaticales)
This is a grammar of the Greek language, and one of the first that circulated in
Italy.
Editions
Printed probably for the first time in 1488, and frequently reprinted at the
latter end of that century and the beginning of the next.