Gregoras, Nikephoros

   If not the most brilliant writer of the 14th century (which he may have been), he was certainly the most versatile of scholars. He wrote on every subject important to the scholarship of his day, including history, logic, rhetoric, philosophy, astronomy, theology, and hagiography (qq.v.). His letters are important historical sources, and he himself was a most capable historian. His Roman History, covering the years 1204-1359, is particularly valuable for the events of his lifetime (ca. 1290-ca. 1360). He is biased against Palamism (q.v.), which he attacked after 1347, but favors John VI Kantakouzenos (q.v.), who he supported during the civil war of 1341-1347. The Palamite victory at a local council in Constantinople (q.v.) in 1351 included a condemnation of Gregoras, who was confined to his house, then to the Chora Monastery (q.v.) until 1354, when he was freed. He spent his remaining years denouncing his enemy Gregory Palamas (q.v.).