646 FOURTH PERIOD. A. D. 590-1049.
§ 149. Michael Psellus.
I. MICHAEL PSELLUS: Opera, in Migne, Patrol. Gr., Tom. CXXIL, col.
477-1358. His Hist. Byzant. et alia opuscula, ed. by Constantin Sathas. Paris, 1874.
II. LEO ALLATIUS : Diatriba de Psellis, in Migne, I. c., col. 477-536.
CEILLIER, XIII. 335-337.
MICHAEL PSELLUS, the third of the five of that name mentioned by Allatius, was born of a consular and patrician family in Constantinople about 1020. He took naturally to study, and denied himself the amusements and recreations of youth in order that he might make all the more rapid progress. Having completed his studies at Athens, he returned to Con stantinople, and was appointed chief professor of philosophy. Constantine Monomachus invited him to his court, and entrusted him with secular business. He then turned his attention from philosophy and rhetoric to theology, physics, medicine, mathe matics, astronomy and military science. In short, he explored the entire domain of knowledge, and as his memory was tenacious, he was able to retain everything he studied. " It has been said that in him human nature yielded up its inmost powers in order that he might ward off the downfall of Greek learning." J He was made the tutor of Michael Ducas, the future emperor, who when he came to the throne retained him in his councils. Psellus, of course, took the Greek position upon the Filioque question, and thwarted the movement of Peter, bishop of Anagni, to establish peace between the Greek and Latin churches. When Michael Ducas was deposed (1078), he was deprived of his professorship, and so he retired to a monastery, where he died. The last mention of him is made in 1105.
Psellus was a prolific author, but many of his writings are unprinted, and many are lost.2 Of the theological works which have been printed the most -important are :
1 Gass in Herzog,2 s. v. xii. 340.
2 See lists in Allatius, Diatriba. in Migne, CXXII, col. 498-532.
£ 149. MICHAEL PSELLUS. 647
(1) Exposition of the Song of Songs* a paraphrase in verse with a commentary and excerpts from Gregory of Nyssa, Nilus, and Maximus.
(2) A Learned Miscellany? in 157 paragraphs, in which nearly everything is treated of, from the relations of the persons of the Trinity to the rise of the Nile and the changes of the weather. It is one of those prodigies of learning which really indicate the comparative ignorance of the past, and are now mere curiosities.
(3) The Operations of Demons? an attack, in the form of a dialogue, upon the Euchitcs, whom he charges with revolt ing and disgusting crimes, under the prompting of demons. But he passes on to discuss the subject more broadly and rest ing on the testimony of a certain monk who had actually seen demons he teaches their perpetual activity in human affairs ; that they can propagate their species ; and go anywhere at will under either a male or female form. From them come diseases and innumerable woes. The book is very curious, and has per manent value as a contribution to the demonology of the Middle Ages.
Twelve letters of Psellus have been printed.4 His panegyric upon Simeon Metaphrases has already been mentioned.5 He wrote a criticism of the eloquence of Gregory the Theologian, Basil, and Chrysostom,6 and celebrated these Fathers also in. verse.7
Besides certain legal and philosophical treatises he wrote a poem on Doctrine? and a metrical Synopsis of Law.9
1 'Ep//7;rn'a Kara 7rapd$paatv rnr arrt/arof rfbv anydruv. Ibid. col. 537-685.
2 &ifiactKci>.ia ~av7oda-i!. Ibid. col. 688-784.
8 TTf/H evepyeiac fiai[i6vuv. Ibid. col. 820-876.
* 'Emarolai. Ibid. col. 1161-1185. 5 ^ee p. 642.
6 XapaKTwec. Migne, CXXII. col. 901-908.
' Ibid. col. 908-910.
s Uepl <M}/mror. Ibid. col. 812-817.
9 Si'voV"? r&v vd/uuv. Ibid. col. 925-974.
648 FOUKTH PEKIOD. A. D. 590-1049.
§ 150. Euthymius Zigabenus.
L EUTHYMIUS ZIGABENUS : Opera omnia, in Migne, Patrol. Gr., Tom.
CXXVIII.-CXXXI. II. See the Prolegomena in Migne. CEILLIER, XIV. 150-155.
EUTHYMIUS ZIGABENUS (or Zigadenus) was a learned and able Greek monk of the order of St. Basil in the convent of the Virgin Mary near Constantinople, and enjoyed the marked favor of the emperor Alexius Comnenus (1081-1118) and his wife Anna.1 Being requested by Alexius to refute the Bogomiles, who had become alarmingly numerous, he was led to prepare an extensive work upon heresy, entitled The Panoply.2 Among the heretics he included the Pantheists, Jews, the Pope and the Latins. His materials were the decisions of councils and the Greek Fathers and other writers, including some other wise unknown.3 In this important work and in separate treat ises 4 he imparts much valuable historical information respecting the Bogomiles, Massalians, Armenians, Paulicians, and even about the Jews and Mohammedans, although it is evident that he was not well informed about the last, and was much preju diced against them. Like other Greeks, he finds the latter here tical upon the procession of the Holy Spirit and upon the bread of the Eucharist. Besides the Panoply, Euthymius wrote com mentaries upon the Psalms,5 much dependent upon Chrysostom, and on the Gospels,6 more independent and exhibiting exegetical tact which in the judgment of some puts him next to Theophylact.
1 In her Alexiad (XV. 490, Migne, CXXXI. col. 1176) she extols his learn ing and piety.
3 Migne, CXXX.
* Migne gives the sources.
4 Contra Massalianos ; Contra Bogomilox ; Disputatio defide cum phUosopho Saraceno ; Dialogus Christiani cum Ismaelua (all in Migne, CXXXI. coL 40- 48; 48-57; 20-37; 37-40).
5 Migne, CXXVIIL col. 41-end. « Migne, CXXIX. col. 107-end.