Nikos Kazantzakis, Greeks, Greek Encyclopedia. Nikos Kazantzakis (Greek: Νίκος Καζαντζάκης) (Febru – Octo) was a Greek writer and philosopher, celebrated for his novel Zorba the Greek, considered his magnum opus. He became known globally after the release of the Michael Cacoyannis film Zorba the Greek, based on the novel. Biography When.