PARRHASIUS, Janus, a famous grammarian in Italy, who was born at Cosenza, in the kingdom of Naples, in the year 1470. He was intended for the law, the profession of his ancestors; but he refused to pursue it, and cultivated classical learning. His real name was Johannes Paulus Parisius; but, according to the practice of the grammarians of the age, he took instead of it that of Parrhasius. He taught at Milan with much reputation, being admired for a graceful delivery, in which he chiefly excelled other professors. It was this charm in his voice which brought a vast concourse of people to his lectures; and, amongst others, he had the pleasure of seeing General Trimoles, who was then threescore years of age. He went to Rome when Alexander VI. was pope, and had nearly been involved in the misfortunes of Bernardini Cajetan and Silius Savello, with whom he had some correspondence; but he escaped the danger, by the information of Thomas Phœdru, professor of rhetoric, and canon of St John Lateran, whose advice he followed by retiring from Rome. Soon afterwards, he was appointed public professor of rhetoric at Milan; but
the liberty which he took in censuring the teachers there as arrant blockheads provoked them in return to asperse his morals. He, in consequence, went to Vicenza, where he obtained a larger salary; and he held this professorship till the states of the Venetians were laid waste by the troops of the League; upon which he went to his native country, having made his escape through the army of the enemy. He was at Cosenza when his old friend Phœdru persuaded Julius to send for him to Rome; and although that design proved abortive by the death of the pope, yet, on the recommendation of John Lascaris, he was called thither under Leo X. the successor of Julius. Leo was before favourably inclined towards him, and on his arrival at Rome appointed him professor of polite literature. He had been now some time married to a daughter of Demetrius Chalcondylas; and he took with him to Rome, Basil Chalcondylas, brother of Demetrius Chalcondylas, professor of the Greek tongue at Milan. But he did not long enjoy the office which had been conferred upon him by the pope; for, worn out by his studies and labours, he became so afflicted with the gout, that for some years there was no part of his body unaffected except his tongue. He left Rome and returned to Calabria, his native country, where he at last died in the greatest misery. Several works have been ascribed to him.