Metochita, Theodorus

Metochita, Theodorus (θεόδωρος ὁ Μετοχίτης), a Greek theologian, flourished in the days of the emperor Andronicus the Elder, who appointed him the chief logothete, or chancellor, of the Church at Constantinople, and intrusted him with several missions. Amid all his official duties, Metochita found time to compose sundry works which reflect honor upon: his learning. He was banished from the country shortly after the usurpation of power by Andronicus the Younger, in 1328. The emperor was not slow to recall him; but Metochita being disgusted with the complexion which matters had assumed, retired into a convent, where he died about 1332. His principal works are Commentaries (Παράφρασις) on several treatises by Aristotle: Physica, De A nima, De Coelo, De Ortu et Interitu, De Memoria et Reminiscentia, De Somno et Vigilia. These commentaries were published in Latin' by Gent. Hervet (Basle, 1550, 4to; Ravenna, 1614, 4to); but the original Greek text of the Commnentaries has remained inedited. He also wrote two books on ecclesiastical history, and several works of a secular character, which were never printed. See Fabricius, Bibl. Grceca, 10:412 sq.; C. F.'de Bodenbourg, De Th. Metochitce Scriptis Notheias vulgo insimulatis, in the Miscellan. Lipsiensia, vol. xii.