(Theodore), a famous Greek in the 15th century, was born in 1398. His country being invaded by the Turks, he retired into Italy; where he at first supported himself by transcribing ancient authors, an employment the learned had frequent recourse to before the invention of printing. His uncommon parts and learning soon recommended him to public notice; and particularly to cardinal Beffarion, who procured him a benefice in Calabria. He was one of those to whom the revival of polite literature in Italy was principally owing. He translated from the Greek into Latin, Aristotle's History of Animals, Theophrastus on Plants, and Hippocrates's Aphorisms; and put into Greek, Scipio's Dream, and Cicero's Treatise on Old Age. He wrote several other works in Greek and Latin; and died at Rome in 1475.

(anc. geog.), a principal city and one of the five satrapies of the Philistines. It was situated about 100 furlongs from the Mediterranean, on an artificial mount, and strongly walled round. It was destroyed by Alexander the Great, and afterwards by Antiochus. In the time of the Maccabees it was a strong and flourishing city; but was destroyed a third time by Alexander Jannaeus. At present it has a miserable appearance. The buildings are mean, both as to the form and matter. Some remains of its ancient grandeur appear in the handsome pillars of Parian marble which support some of the roofs; while others are disposed of here and there, in different parts of almost every beggarly cottage. On the top of the hill, at the north-east corner of the town, are the ruins of large arches sunk low into the earth, and other foundations of a stately building, from whence some of the bashaws have carried off marble pillars of an incredible size. The castle is a contemptible structure, and the port is ruined. E. Long. 34° 55'. N. Lat. 31° 28'.