Psellus, Michael

Psellus, Michael

▪ Byzantine philosopher, theologian, and statesman
born 1018, Constantinople
died c. 1078

      Byzantine philosopher, theologian, and statesman whose advocacy of Platonic philosophy as ideally integrable with Christian doctrine initiated a renewal of Byzantine classical learning that later influenced the Italian Renaissance.

      Psellus served in the Byzantine state secretariat under the emperors Michael V (1041–42) and Constantine IX (1042–54). The latter in 1045 chose him to head the philosophy faculty in the newly founded imperial university.

      In 1054, after the ecclesiastical upheaval following the definitive separation of the Greek and Roman churches, Psellus withdrew from academic work into monastic seclusion, adding Michael to his baptismal name. Recalled by the empress Theodora (1055–56) to serve as her prime minister, he continued in the office during the reign of his former student, the emperor Michael VII Ducas (1071–78). Having urged the Emperor to reject any overtures towards reunion with Rome, Psellus was forced into final exile when the Byzantine Macedonian dynasty's internal struggle between aristocratic and military families resulted in Michael's deposition and the accession of the emperor Nicephorus III Botaneiates (1078–81).

      Criticized by some historians for his overweening ambition and political duplicity, Psellus made lasting contributions to Byzantine culture, including the reform of the university curriculum to emphasize the Greek classics, especially the Homeric literature that, with Platonist thought, he interpreted as precursory to Christian revelation. Manifesting encyclopaedic knowledge, Psellus composed treatises and poetry, all characterized by forceful and sometimes virulent expression, on themes in theology, philosophy, grammar, law, medicine, mathematics, and the natural sciences. Foremost among his writings are a tract, “Commentary on Plato's Teachings on the Origin of the Soul,” and the Chronographia, which recounts the events from the accession of the emperor Basil II in 976 to that of Nicephorus III. Notable also among Psellus' literary remains are his correspondence, consisting of more than 500 letters, and his funeral eulogy for Michael Cerularius, patriarch of Constantinople and principal force behind the Schism of 1054.

      Psellus' most enduring legacy, however, was his reversal of emphasis from Aristotelian thought (as promoted by the 9th-century patriarch Photius) to the Platonic tradition. With this change, Byzantine thought returned to the idealism of early Greek Christianity as exemplified by the 4th-century Cappadocian school of Gregory of Nazianzus and Gregory of Nyssa.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Psellus, Michael — • Byzantine statesman, scholar and author (1018 1078) Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006 …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Psellus, Michael — (1018–ca. 1078)    Byzantine scholar, philosopher, author, and statesman, who undertook a classification of DEMONs in his work On the Work of Demons.    Michael Psellus was born in Constantinople, where he rose to prominence in the royal court as …   Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology

  • Michael Psellus —     Michael Psellus     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Michael Psellus     (Michael ho Psellos), Byzantine statesman, scholar, and author, born apparently at Constantinople, 1018; died probably 1078. He attended the schools, afterwards learning… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Michael Psellos — This article is about the 11th century Byzantine historian and philosopher. For the 9th century Byzantine Emperor with the byname Psellus, see Michael II. Michael Psellus the Elder redirects here and is covered below under Pseudo Psellus. Michael …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Caerularius —     Michael Cærularius     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Michael Cærularius     (Keroulários).     Patriarch of Constantinople (1043 58), author of the second and final schism of the Byzantine Church, date of birth unknown; d. 1058. After the… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Michael I Cerularius — Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople See Patriarchate of Constantinople Enthroned …   Wikipedia

  • PSELLUS — sub Constantino Duca (inquit Vir Clariss. Io. Voss. l. 2. de Histor. Grac. c. 26.) qui Isacio Commeno annô suffectus 1058. claruit πολυγραφώτατος ille Michael Psellus. Praefectus fuit studii Michaelis Ducae. Constantini Ducae filii: qui A. C.… …   Hofmann J. Lexicon universale

  • Michael IV the Paphlagonian — Michael IV the Paphlagonian Μιχαὴλ Δ´ ὁ Παφλαγὼν Emperor of the Byzantine Empire Gold histamenon of Michael IV s reign …   Wikipedia

  • Michael VII Doukas — Michael VII Doukas Μιχαήλ Ζ΄ Δούκας Emperor of the Byzantine Empire Nomisma histamenon of Michael VII Doukas. Emperor with attributes. Reign …   Wikipedia

  • Michael VI Stratiotikos — Michael VI Bringas Μιχαήλ ΣΤ΄ Βρίγγας Emperor of the Byzantine Empire Gold tetarteron of Michael s reign Reign 1056–1057 …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”