Niketas David Paphlagon

Niketas David Paphlagon (Greek: Νικήτας Δαβὶδ Παφλαγών), also known as Nicetas the Paphlagonian, was a prolific Byzantine Greek writer of the late 9th and early 10th century.[1]

Niketas was a disciple of Arethas of Caesarea. When Arethas, under pressure from Pope Nicholas I, moved to support the tetragamy[lower-alpha 1] of the Emperor Leo VI, Niketas distributed all his master's goods to the poor and fled to Thrace. He was arrested and imprisoned in Constantinople. The Patriarch Euthymios I secured his release, but forced him to live in seclusion for two years.[1]

Niketas was a prolific author on Christian topics. He wrote about fifty hagiographies, a treatise on calculating the end times, a commentary on the Psalms and many other works, including possibly pamphlets against Leo VI and Euthymios. In his commentary, he provides a moral exhortation for every psalm, which was an innovation at the time. He also evinces a strong dislike of musical instruments. His hagiography of Ignatios of Constantinople functions as a tract against Photios.[1] His biography of Gregory of Agrigento was highly esteemed by Symeon the Metaphrast, who included it in his synaxarium.[2] He was accused of heresy for proclaiming himself God, although this probably means only that he emphasised the divine nature in man.[1]