John, one of the most learned men of the 16th century, was a native of Westphalia. He travelled into Turkey, and collected excellent materials for composing The Ottoman History; and it is to him the public is indebted for the best account we have of that empire. To his knowledge in the learned languages he had added that of the civil law; whereby he was very well qualified to translate the Basilica. His other versions were esteemed, though critics pretend to have found many faults in them. He died in 1593, aged 60.

LEONIDAS I., king of Sparta, a renowned warrior, slain in defending the straits of Thermopylae against Xerxes, 480 B.C. See SPARTA.