As soon as Konstantinos IX became emperor, Psellos was recommended to him, though they had not met. All Konstantinos' bodyguard knew of his eloquence. He became his servant in all things, was ranked in the higher order and entrusted with the most honoured tasks. Psellos was ignorant of nothing, neither of things done openly nor secretly. He was employed in the palace at the age of 25. An early task (perhaps an application piece?) was Orationes panegyricae 2, a summary of recent history, from Basileios II to the defeat of Georgios Maniakes