Nikephoros Gregoras (c. 1295–1360) was a Byzantine scholar, historian, astronomer, and theologian [1]. Born in Heraclea Pontica, he moved to Constantinople as an orphan and studied under John Glykys and the polymath Theodore Metochites, whose patronage secured him a chair in philosophy at the Chora Monastery [1][2]. He was a central figure in the Hesychast controversy, becoming a vocal opponent of Gregory Palamas, which led to his condemnation and house arrest after 1351 [1][2].

His major work is the Roman History (Ῥωμαϊκὴ Ἱστορία), a 37-book history covering 1204 to 1359, also referenced as Byzantina Historia [1][2][3]. He also produced numerous treatises on theology, astronomy, mathematics, rhetoric, and grammar, alongside a significant corpus of letters [1][2].

Gregoras was one of the most erudite scholars of the Palaiologan period. His Roman History is a vital primary source for 14th-century Byzantine political and ecclesiastical history, particularly for the Hesychast dispute, despite its digressive style and anti-Palamite bias [1][2]. His encyclopedic output exemplifies the intellectual range of late Byzantine learning [1].

Sources 1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University): https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/byzantine-philosophy/#NikGreg 2. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nicephorus-Gregoras 3. Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0062:entry=gregoras-nicephorus-harpers