Leonardos Philaras (c. 1595 – 1673[2]) (Greek: Λεονάρδος Φιλαρᾶς, Leonardos Filaras, French: Leonard Philara also known as Villeret, Villare) was a Greek[3] Athenian scholar,[4] politician,[5] diplomat and advisor to the French court.

[6] He was also an early advocate for Greek independence.

[7] Leonardos Philaras was born of Greek origins[8][9][10][11] in Athens in 1595 to a distinguished family.

[12] He moved to Rome at a young age where he was educated, he eventually became ambassador to the French court from the Duke of Parma.

Philaras spent much of his career in persuading Western European intellectuals to support Greek independence.