Kabasilas, Nicholas Chametos

   Mystic and Palamite theologian; writer and scholar. Despite being a friend and supporter of John VI Kantakouzenos (q.v.), he managed to survive the massacres in Thessalonike under Zealot (qq.v.) rule. His historical importance lies chiefly in the diversity of his writings and what they reveal about intellectual life in the 14th century. Among his most interesting literary works is a monograph on usury; another work criticizes the confiscation of monastic lands to finance the military needs of the state.