LASCARIS, CONSTANTINE, one of those illustrious Greeks who, having been expelled from their native country in the fifteenth century, contributed greatly to the revival of letters in Europe. He was descended of the imperial family of the same name, and born at Constantinople, though in what year has not been ascertained. In 1454, he left the imperial city, destined soon afterwards to become the prey of the Turkish invaders, and went to seek an asylum in Italy, where he was favourably received by Francesco Sforza, who intrusted him with the education of his daughter Hippolyta, afterwards married to Alfonso king of Naples. From Milan he proceeded to Rome, where he lived some time in habits of intimacy with Cardinal Bessarion, and then set out for Naples, whither he had been invited by King Ferdinand, in order to profess Greek and rhetoric in that city. Having spent some years in this occupation, he formed the resolution of going to end his days in one of the isles of Greece; but the vessel in which he had embarked having touched at Messina, the principal inhabitants made to him such urgent applications, that he consented to give lessons in their city. The reputation of this great master of learning soon attracted thither numerous pupils, amongst whom the celebrated Bembo is said to have been one; and he received the honour of citizenship, which he merited equally by his virtues and his erudition. He lived to an advanced age, and died towards the end of the year 1493. In gratitude for the proofs of regard which he had received from the senate, he bequeathed to it, by his will, his library, consisting of valuable manuscripts, which were afterwards transported to Spain, where they may still be seen in the Royal Library of the Escorial. His published works are, 1. Grammatica Græca, sive Compendium octo Orationis partium, Milan, 1476, in 4to, being the first book printed in Greek; 2. Two Opuscula on the Sicilians and Calabrese who had written in Greek, published, for the first time, by Maurolico in 1562; 3. A Dissertation on Orpheus, printed in the first volume of the Marmora Taurinensia, from a manuscript in the library of the king of Sardinia. (A.)