23. PILATUS, or PYLATUS, a Greek of
Thessalonica, and a disciple of Barlaam. Boccacio met hint at Venice and persuaded him to give
up his intention of visiting Rome, and to go to Florence, where, through Boccacio's interest,
he obtained the appointment of public teacher, with a salary. He was for some time (apparently
for three years) the guest of Boccacio, to whom he gave private lessons in Homer. Boccacio has
given a curious description of the person and manners of Leontius; he ascribes to him a
thorough acquaintance with Greek literature, and an inexhaustible fund of information on
Grecian history, mythology, and arts. He does not appear to have written anything; but
Boccacio, in his