Psellos and the Patriarchs

The book presents translations of funeral orations by Michael Psellos, a prominent Byzantine intellectual, for three ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople: Michael Keroullarios, Konstantinos Leichoudes, and Ioannes Xiphilinos. These orations offer valuable insights into the lives of the patriarchs and the educational reforms of Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos. They also document significant events of the eleventh century, including civil unrest and the 1054 conflict with Catholic legates. The volume includes an analysis of Psellos' relationships with the patriarchs and interpretations of the texts.