LAS'CARIS, CONSTANTINE (c.1434-I501). A celebrated Greek grammarian, one of the first founders of Greek studies in the \Vest. He was a member of a noble Dithynian family. After the capture of Constantinople by the Turks (1433), he fled to Italy, where he became tutor to llippolita. daughter of Francesco Sforza. Duke of Milan. Later Ile taught at Rome (where he became an intimate friend of the learned Greek cardinal Bessarion). at Naples, and at Messina. His Greek grammar, the so-called 'Eptor4aara, published at Milan in 1476, was the first Greek book ever printed. After his de•ath his valuable library was carried to Spain. where it is now preserved in the Escorial.—ANDREAS JOHANNES or JANUS LASCARIS (c.1445-1535), a brother or Cousin of Constantine, was also prominent as a missionary of Greek learning in the \Vest. After studying at Padua. he settled at the Court of Lorenzo de' Aledici, and was sent by him to the East. where he acquired many manuscripts for
the Medici Library, especially from Mount Athos. After the death of Lorenzo (1492) he was sum moned to Paris by Charles VIII. Here he taught until 1513, when he was called to Rome by Leo N.; but in 1318 he returned to France, as an ambassador to Francis I., and helped to found the Royal Library. Later he resided for some time at Venice. until Paul III. recalled hint to Rome, where he remained until his death. He is to-day best known as the editor of five edi tiones principes, including a famous Greek an thology. Consult : Villemain, Lascaris, ou les Grecs nu Xl'ime sh'elc (Paris. 1S25) : Vast. De Vita et Operibas .1. Lasearis (Paris, 1878); Voigt, ll'icderbe/cbung des klassisclien .:11ter tioas (3d ed., Leipzig, 18931; Symonds. Renais sance, vol. ii. 1877).