Plato, Metochites, and the origins of the Hesychast controversy: a note on Barlaam’s of Calabria image in Nicephorus Gregoras’ history of the Romaioi (XI, 10)

The image of Barlaam of Calabria in the History of the Romaioi by Nicephorus Gregoras in its basic traits was inspired by Theodore Metochites’, his mentor and the Great logothete, philosophical considerations about false hopes and the grievous destiny of those pursuing them. Being a fervous admirer and, probably, a scribe of the Sententious Notes , Metochites’ major work, Gregoras followed the pattern of a literary theatre and realized his desire to make a tribute to his instructor when creating his rather literary, than pure historical, portrait of Barlaam as a complete loser. In these opening chapters of the History the image of St. Gregory Palamas still played a positive role as a true hero, who bridled the anti-hero’s, i.e., Barlaam’s, indignancy against the Orthodox monks. In this following Metochites’ patterns and deliberations on Gregoras’ part a significant role was played by those traditions of a philosophical friendship between the mentor, i.e., Metochites, and the disciple, who was Gregoras himself, which could be traced back to the ones described by Plato in his Lycides .