Introduction

Abstract

Psellos was born just over one thousand years ago (1018) in Constantinople. Before 1054 his first name was Constantine, then he took the monastic name of Michael which he retained until his death sometime around 1081. He was a prolific writer and over one thousand of his texts have reached us. His collection of over five hundred letters is essential reading for most aspects of Byzantine culture. Psellos was part of the laity and represented civilian byzantine culture. He was also part of the Imperial court for most of his life and was never condemned by the church.