Michael Psellos facts for kids
Michael Psellos (Greek: Μιχαὴλ Ψελλός, translit. Michaḗl Psellós) was a very important Byzantine scholar, writer, and politician. He was a monk, a deep thinker (philosopher), and a historian. He was born around 1017 or 1018. Most people think he died in 1078, but some believe he lived until 1096.
Contents
Michael Psellos's Life and Work
The best way to learn about Psellos's life is by reading his own writings. He often wrote about himself. Michael Psellos was probably born in Constantinople, which was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. His family came from Nicomedia and had important ancestors. His birth name was Constantine. He chose the name Michael when he became a monk. "Psellos" means 'the stammerer', which might have been a nickname because of how he spoke.
Early Life and Education
Michael Psellos went to school in Constantinople. When he was about ten, he worked as a secretary for a judge outside the capital. He did this to help his family earn money for his sister's marriage. When his sister passed away, he quit that job. He then returned to Constantinople to continue his studies.
While studying, he met future important leaders. These included Constantine Leichoudes and John Xiphilinos, who later became church leaders. He also met Constantine X Doukas, who would become an emperor.
Rising in Politics and Teaching
Later, Psellos worked as a judge in other parts of the empire. Before 1042, he came back to Constantinople. He got a small job at the emperor's court as a secretary (ὑπογραμματεύς). From there, he quickly moved up in his career. He became a powerful advisor to Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos (who ruled from 1042 to 1055).
At the same time, he became the main professor at the University of Constantinople. He was given the special title "Chief of the Philosophers" (ὕπατος τῶν φιλοσόφων hypatos tōn philosophōn). This showed how important he was in education.
Psellos was very smart, but he didn't know much Latin. He even mixed up famous Roman figures like Cicero and Caesar. This shows how much the Byzantine Empire had lost its connection to its Roman past.
Political Changes and Later Years
Towards the end of Emperor Monomachos's rule, Psellos faced some political trouble. He decided to leave the court and became a monk in 1054. He went to the Olympus monastery on Mount Olympus.
However, after Monomachos died, the new empress, Theodora, called him back to court. For many years after that, he stayed active in politics. He advised several emperors. He played a big role in changing power from Michael VI to Isaac I Komnenos in 1057. Then from Isaac Komnenos to Constantine X Doukas in 1059. And again from Romanos IV Diogenes to Michael VII Doukas in 1071.
Psellos had been Michael VII's personal teacher. He also helped Michael gain power. So, Psellos hoped to have an even more important role under Michael VII. But Michael didn't seem to protect Psellos as much. After the mid-1070s, we don't know much about Psellos's role at court. Since his own writings stop here, we have little information about his last years. Some historians think he went back to a monastery in the 1070s. Most scholars believe Psellos died soon after Michael VII lost power in 1078. A letter from Theophylaktos of Bulgaria to Psellos's brother said, "Your brother has not died, but has departed to God released of both a painful life and disease."
Chronographia: A History Book
The Chronographia is probably Psellos's most famous book. It is a history of the Byzantine emperors. It covers about 100 years, leading up to Psellos's own time. It starts with the long rule of Basil II, the "Bulgar-Slayer" (976–1025). It ends during the rule of Michael VII Doukas (1071–1078).
This book is mostly a series of biographies about 14 emperors and empresses. Unlike other history books of that time, it focuses more on describing the personalities of the rulers. It doesn't focus as much on battles or political events. It also includes many parts about Psellos's own life and how he grew as a thinker and politician. The book gives more attention to the times when Psellos was active in politics, especially during Constantine IX's rule. This makes it feel like a political diary.
Historians believe the Chronographia was written in two parts. The first part covers emperors up to Isaac I Komnenos. The second part praises Psellos's protectors, the emperors of the Doukas family.
Other Writings by Psellos
Psellos wrote many other things besides the Chronographia:
- A shorter history book called "Historia syntomos." It was a world history written to teach.
- Many writings about science, philosophy, and religion. One famous example is De Operatione Daemonum. This book classified different types of demons. He also wrote an important book on philosophy called De omnifaria doctrina. Other works covered topics like astronomy, medicine, music, law (jurisprudence), physics, and local customs (laography).
- Poems that taught about grammar and how to speak well (rhetorics).
- Three speeches given at funerals for important church leaders: Michael Keroularios, Constantine III Leichoudes, and John Xiphilinos.
- A funeral speech for his own mother. This speech has a lot of information about Psellos's life.
- Many speeches praising emperors or arguing against certain groups, like the Bogomils and Euchites.
- Hundreds of personal letters.
- Exercises and essays on different topics for practicing his writing and speaking skills.
- Poems that were sometimes funny, sometimes serious, or short and witty.
Psellos's Personality
Psellos was known for being very smart and educated in many areas. He was considered one of the most learned people of his time. He was proud that he brought back the serious study of ancient philosophy, especially Plato, to Byzantine scholars. Because he liked Plato and other non-Christian (often Neoplatonic) philosophers, some people doubted his Christian faith. At one point, he had to publicly declare his faith to defend himself.
He was also proud of being a master of rhetoric, which is the art of speaking and writing well. He believed he combined the wisdom of a philosopher with the power to persuade people. This made him a model for political leaders and advisors.
Some modern experts say Psellos was vain and ambitious because he wrote so much about himself. Also, his political career and his Chronographia made some people think he was too eager to please emperors and changed his loyalty often. However, other experts believe his writings, especially the Chronographia, have a hidden ironic meaning. They think he was secretly criticizing the emperors or even Byzantine Christian beliefs.
During Psellos's life, there were serious questions about his religious beliefs. For example, in 1054, his friend John Xiphilinos accused him of leaving Christ to follow Plato. Even stronger doubts came up about Psellos's student, John Italos. Italos took over Psellos's role as Chief of the Philosophers. Italos was publicly accused of teaching "Hellenizing" ideas, like souls being reborn (metempsychosis) and the world lasting forever. Italos faced these accusations twice, and both times he admitted to them and took back his statements.
Pseudo-Psellos: A Case of Mistaken Identity
For a while, people thought there was another Byzantine writer named Michael Psellos the Elder. They believed he lived in the 9th century on the island of Andros. They thought he was a student of Photius and a teacher of Emperor Leo VI the Wise. Some writers even called our Michael Psellos "the younger."
This idea came from an old history book that mentioned the name Psellos in that context. But now, most experts believe that this was a mistake by a copyist who copied the book later. They think there was no "Michael Psellos the elder."
The term "Pseudo-Psellos" is also used today for some later writings. These works were wrongly thought to be written by Psellos during Byzantine times.
Images for kids
-
Compendium mathematicum, a book from 1647, believed to be by Psellos.
See also
In Spanish: Miguel Pselo para niños
