Michael Italikos, man of letters E / M XII
Μιχαήλ (DO I.68.2) (Michael 20130)
(Unspecified)
(null)
Narrative
(43)
Authorship
(43)
At the beginning and end of his basilikos logos for
Ioannes 2
, he claimed to have produced a much fuller programme of oral and written encomia for Ioannes, in prose and in verse, than has survived
Italikos 246.12-247.12, 257.4-9, 267.17-268.4
He asked
Anonymus 25038
about
Anonyma 25011
, who was treated for her illness by
Anonymus 25039
; Michael did not believe in magic, and had only agreed to the experiment to quieten the women: he would be interested to learn the results
Τῷ Τζικνόγλῳ. Italikos 201.1-203.7
He described to
Ioannes 293
the golden age of
Ioannes 2
and the renaissance of Rome, with constant movement and victory; Michael's praises charted this, yet calumny of Michael blocked his career; Ioannes must pass a letter to the emperor to remedy this
Τῷ μεγάλῳ δομεστίκῳ. Italikos 229.1-230.17
He envied
Nikephoros 17003
his polished teaching and inveighed against him from his high church position, though his own work, a commentary on the Pauline epistles for
Eirene 61
, was of low quality
βιβλίον δοὺς ἐπίτομον φέρον τῶν Παύλου ἐπιστολῶν τὴν ἐξήγησιν. Basilakios, Orationes et epistulae 6.8-7.13
He improvised an encomium on request for
Eirene 61
at her distinguished theatron; she was praised for her origins, her possession of imperial virtues and her easy adaptation to the monastery after the court; he ended by mentioning other members of the audience
Λόγος αὐτοσχεδίως ῥηθεὶς εἰς τὴν βασιλίδα κυρὰν Εἰρήνην τὴν Δούκαιναν, ὅτε ἐπέτρεψεν αὐτῷ ἀποστοματίσαι λόγον. Italikos 146.1-151.24
He prepared a didaskalia shortly after being consecrated as didaskalos of the Gospels; it is largely an encomium of
Leon 11
, combined with expressions of joy from Michael, who felt that he had remained didaskalos of the Epistles for too long
Διδασκαλία ἣν ἔπνευσεν ὅτε ἐσφραγίσθη διδάσκαλος τῶν εὐαγγελίων, κατὰ τὴν εἰκοστὴν πέμπτην τοῦ δεκεμβρίου μηνός, κατ᾽ αὐτὴν τὴν ἑορτὴν τῆς Χριστοῦ γεννήσεως. Italikos 118.1-128.13
He sent
Anonymus 25035
a long, undateable description of the monstrous beliefs of Chaldaean theologians
no title. Italikos 186.1-192.6
He sent a philosophical letter to
Theodoros 25001
, comparing lard and cheese
Ἐπιστολὴ τοῦ Ἰταλικοῦ πρὸς τὸν φιλόσοφον Πρόδρομον. Italikos 237.1-238.13
He told
Anonymus 25031
that, without seeing him, he recalled him well, especially when chatting happily to their common friend
Theodoros 25001
; but he would be surprised if Lizix, who was busy and ambitious, remembered them
Πρὸς τὸν Λίζικα. Italikos 178.1-17
He wrote a basilikos logos for
Ioannes 2
, describing his achievements during the campaign of 1137-1138 in Cilicia and Syria
Λόγος βασιλικὸς εἰς τὸν αὐτοκράτορα Ἰωάννην τὸν Κομνηνὸν καὶ πορφυρογέννητον ἐπὶ τοῖς κατὰ Συρίαν ἀγῶσιν αὐτοῦ. Italikos 245.1-270.19
He wrote a basilikos logos for
Manuel 1
soon after accession, emphasising his youth and beauty, early predestination for the throne, his fine training by
Ioannes 2
, his feat at Neokaisareia and the panic at the death of Ioannes which he allayed
Λόγος βασιλικὸς εἰς τὸν βασιλέα κῦρ Μανουὴλ τὸν Κομνηνὸν καὶ πορφυρογέννητον. Italikos 276.1-294.36
He wrote a monody for
Michael 135
the aktouarios, performed for the medical establishment; before medical training Pantechnes studied the whole universe of learning, gaining the confidence of the emperor (probably
Alexios 1
)
Μονῳδία ἐπὶ τῷ ἀκτουαρίῳ τῷ Παντεχνῇ. Italikos 111.1-115.8
He wrote a monody for
Andronikos 109
, who died on the ship bringing
Alexios 103
's corpse from Attaleia; Andronikos was praised for aristocratic virtues, the brothers' deaths lamented and
Ioannes 2
congratulated for steadfast continuance
Μονῳδία εἰς τὸν σεβαστοκράτορα κῦρ Ἀνδρόνικον, τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως κυροῦ Ἰωάννου τοῦ πορφυρογεννήτου θάνοντα, ὅτε ἐκόμιζεν ἐξ Ἀτταλίας νεκρὸν τὸν ἀδερφὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ βασιλέα κῦρ Ἀλέξιον τὸν πορφυρογέννητον. Italikos 130.1-134.10
He wrote a monody for the death of
Andronikos 108
, whose greatest military feats had been against the Turks in 1116 and the Pechenegs in 1122; his body was brought across from Asia by boat for the funeral
Italikos 82.1-88.8
He wrote a monody on the death of a partridge which died while his students were playing
Ἐπὶ πέρδικι μονῳδία τεθνηκότι μετὰ τῶν αὐτοῦ μαθητῶν παιζόντων. Italikos 102.1-104.32
He wrote a speech for the patriarch
Michael 12
, an epithalamion for his mystic marriage to the church, a symbolic bride; choice by lot of the patriarch-groom, confirmation by the Theotokos, his installation and the coronation of
Manuel 1
Λόγος εἰς τὸν πατριάρχην κῦρ Μιχαὴλ τὸν πρώην ἡγούμενον τῆς Ὀξείας. Italikos 68.1-80.31
He wrote a very friendly letter to
Theodoros 25001
, suggesting that singularity expressed their relationship better than duality, despite the geographical distance between them;
Michael 25001
, who remembered all Theodoros' work, would convey the real news
Πρὸς τὸν Πρόδρομον. Italikos 59.1-65.19
He wrote an encomium of
Nikephoros 117
, praising his broad learning as well as his military skills, before both of which Michael predicted his own certain defeat
No title. Italikos 142.1-144.18
He wrote an ethopoiia in the name of St Stephen, complaining that a relic of his had been sold to Venice
Τοῦ Ἰταλικοῦ ἠθοποιΐα· ποίους ἂν εἴποι λόγους ὁ ἅγιος Στέφανος ὁ πρωτομάρτυς, παρὰ τοῦ νεωκόρου τοῖς Βενετίκοις πωλούμενος. Italikos 235.1-236.28
He wrote from Philippopolis to
Anonymus 25046
, supporting the date of December 25 for Christ?s birth, against the arguments of the Armenians
Πρὸς τὸν σακελλάριον κατὰ Ἀρμενίων, περὶ τῆς ἡμέρας τῆς τοῦ Χριστοῦ γεννήσεως. Italikos 296.1-301.16
He wrote that
Ioannes 2
's great feats were magnified by reports written in the emperor's name, plainly by
Stephanos 25001
; Michael, as didaskalos, spread them further; in return, would Stephanos please ensure that Ioannes read an enclosed letter?
Τῷ λογοθέτῃ τοῦ δρόμου τῷ Μέλητι. Italikos 232.1-233.26
He wrote the prologue of a will in the persona of
Anna 62
, stressing her devotion to
Alexios 1
,
Eirene 61
,
Nikephoros 117
, and her children; [the will itself has been lost]
Πρόλογος εἰς τὴν διάταξιν τῆς καισαρίσσης κυρᾶς Ἄννης ὡς παρ᾽ ἐκείνης ἐκδοθείς. Italikos 106.1-109.14
He wrote to
Eirene 61
, complaining that she, as wiser than other women, should realise his value as a philosopher, as in his work at the Kosmidion; he refused her nomination as professor of medicine - he was already the best medical educator in the city
Πρὸς τὴν δέσποιναν κυρὰν Εἰρήνην τὴν Δούκαιναν. Italikos 93.1-98.26
He wrote to
Theodoros 25001
, listing geographical and ethnic names in Southern Anatolia and Syria [useful for reporting
Ioannes 2
's campaigns around Antioch?]
Θεοδώρῳ τῷ Προδρόμῳ. Italikos 99.1-101.8
He wrote to
Gregorios 105
, affecting nervousness about the style of his letter and asking for the favour of
Ioannes 2
no title. Italikos 136.1-138.23
He wrote to
Anonymus 25027
at an unknown date, arguing the superiority of rhetoric over philosophy
no title or addressee. Italikos 139.1-140.33
He wrote to
Theophanes 25001
, welcoming
Anonymus 25028
to his classes, as a guest to a sumptuous feast, though asking for the completion of arrangements with
Eirene 61
Italikos 156.1-159.15
He wrote to
Stephanos 25001
, thanking him at length for a gift of fish, asking for more, and complaining briefly that he had not been promoted while
Nikephoros 17003
had been favoured
No title. Italikos 161.1-163.7
He wrote to
Anonymus 25033
, complaining that he had written to
Anonymus 25034
, but not to Michael himself; now he knew the reason - all the army was despondent because of the death of
Alexios 103
Πρὸς τὸν βασιλικὸν γραμματικόν. Italikos 181.1-183.5
He wrote to
Anonymus 25040
, praising him for combining excellence as a doctor with great knowledge of grammar, whilst showing off his own knowledge in the encomium; it is unclear what he asks for at the end of the letter
Τῷ ἰατρῷ Λειψιώτῃ. Italikos 204.1-207.12
He wrote to
Adrianos 25001
, congratulating the Bulgarians on having him as their new archbishop, but regretting that he could no longer use Adrianos in the capital as solace against the unfriendly environment there
No title. Italikos 211.1-212.23
He wrote to
Alexios 25008
, who asked about the meaning of the word "homaimon", in dispute with
Anonymus 25041
; he said it meant "brother", but other things besides (with examples); he would have more texts, but for busy work at Philippopolis
Πρὸς Ἀλέξιον τὸν Κομνηνὸν περὶ τῆς “ὁμαίμων” φωνῆς ἐρωτήσαντα. Italikos 215.1-218.16
He wrote to
Anonymus 25042
, returning a commentary on the Gospels by an ex-patriarch of Constantinople; the chartophylax asked for it back after a few days, but he had studied it well; it quoted all the church fathers who wrote on the Gospels
Πρὸς τὸν χαρτοφύλακα. Italikos 219.1-221.23
He wrote to
Ioannes 293
, thanking him for aid which had greatly improved his situation [over promotion?]; he wondered when Ioannes and
Ioannes 2
would return, no doubt in triumph
Πρὸς τὸν μέγαν δομέστικον. Italikos 222.1-224.12
He wrote to
Anonymus 25043
, using various strategies to demand payment of the salaries of the didaskaloi, which were late; he threatened to appeal to the megas oikonomos
Τῷ Βαφεωπούλῳ. Italikos 226.1-227.10
He wrote to his brother
Anonymus 25026
(or perhaps a monk?) on the death of his dear friend
Konstantinos 25003
Πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν ἐπὶ Κωνσταντίνῳ τῷ Ἁγιοθεοδωρίτῃ ἀποθανόντι. Italikos 89.1-91.14
He wrote to his brother
Anonymus 25026
, introducing the letter-carrier
Anonymus 25032
as a friend, who would describe the difficulties of Michael's situation and the opposition he faced
no title. Italikos 179.1-180.3
He wrote to his ex-student
Michael 25002
, who was going on campaign in Galatia, comparing his time as a student of philosophy with harsh military reality
Εἰς τὸν Καματηρὸν κῦρ Μιχαήλ, τὸν τοῦ κῦρ ῾Ρωμανοῦ υἱόν. Italikos 170.1-172.21
He wrote to the aktouarios (probably
Michael 135
), announcing that he had joined his medical establishment as didaskalos of the doctors; he sent him a coin of Constantine the Great, which once was mounted with pearls and could be mounted so again (?)
Τῷ ἀκτουαρίῳ. Italikos 209.1-210.22
He wrote to the emperor
Ioannes 2
, who had asked him to go as an envoy to Rome; he accepted, with an encomium of Ioannes' fortitude in shouldering Byzantium's burdens, promising enthusiastically to go to the ends of the earth if necessary
no title. Italikos 173.1-175.9
He wrote two further letters to
Stephanos 25001
, complaining that Stephanos had been too busy in military affairs to take up his case with the emperor or think of his promotion; the honey implied by Meles' surname was in short supply
Τῷ λογοθέτῃ / Εἰς τὸν αὐτόν. Italikos 164.1-168.24
He wrote two letters to the absent
Nikephoros 117
, praising [lost] letters he received from Nikephoros; in the second, he pictured himself reading a letter received from Nikephoros to an admiring audience at a theatron
no titles. Italikos 152.1-154.14
When
Anonymus 25036
asked him for verses of Empedocles on various subjects, he sent them in a letter, asking his correspondent to have his pupils declaim them tragically
Italikos 194.1-195.9
Death
(null)
Description
(2)
He had been the teacher of
Theodoros 25001
τῶν λόγων ἡγούμην. Italikos 64.26-28
Eloquent, wise, seductive in speech - a really magnetic personality
λίθος ἄντικρυς Μάγνησσα. Niketas Choniates, Historia 62.15
Dignity/Office
(7)
Didaskalos of the doctors
διδάσκαλος ἰατρῶν. Italikos 209.3
Didaskalos of the Epistles
ἡ πυρίνη γλῶττα τοῦ Παύλου .... Italikos 124.14
Didaskalos of the Gospels
διδάσκαλος τῶν εὐαγγελίων. Italikos 118, tit
Didaskalos of the Psalter
Δαυὶδ ἠχήσαμεν. Italikos 124.14
Metropolitan of Philippoupolis
πόλις Φιλίππου ... ἔχεις τροφόν με.
Seal 0
τὰς ἀπορρήτους ἀνατιθέμενος τελετάς. Italikos 61.15-17
ὁ τῆς χώρας ἀρχιερεύς. Niketas Choniates, Historia 62.13
Education
(1)
He was very well read in magic and had a huge collection of spells, but did not believe that they worked and never used them
ἐπωδάς τε καὶ καταδέσμους καὶ συνθήματα. Italikos 202.2-14
Ethnic label
(null)
Second Name
(3)
Italikos
(᾿Ιταλόθεν).
Seal 0
Ἰταλικόν. Italikos 60.5
Ἰταλικός. Niketas Choniates, Historia 62.13
Kinship
(1)
brother of
Anonymus 25026
ἀδελφόν. Italikos 89, tit
Language Skill
(null)
Location
(7)
Constantinople: Kosmidion
had done good work (unspecified) at the Kosmidion Κοσμίδιον. Italikos 96.15
Philippopolis
was kept very busy at Philippopolis Φιλιππούπολιν. Italikos 218.15
was metropolitan of Philippopolis πόλις Φιλίππου.
Seal 0
was metropolitan of Philippopolis τὴν τοῦ Φιλίππου πόλιν. Italikos 61.16
was metropolitan of Philippoupolis Φιλιππούπολιν. Niketas Choniates, Historia 62.13
Rome
accepted the request of
Ioannes 2
to go as his envoy to Rome ῾Ρώμην. Italikos 174.16
Venice
in an ethipoiia made St Stephanos complain that a relic of his had been sold to Venice Βενετίκοις. Italikos 235.1-236.28
Occupation/Vocation
(1)
Possession
(null)
Religion
(null)
Eunuchs
(null)
Alternative Name
(null)