Psellos wrote to Ioannes Mauropous on behalf of an old man, & mocked Ioannes for wanting to return to the capital

Summary:
A persistent old man's petition to Ioannes Mauropous was supported by a letter from Psellos, though Ioannes' kindness was such that no letter was needed. Ioannes and Psellos were both happy and unhappy, Ioannes in a good place far from home, Psellos at home suffering humiliation. A similar point was made in another letter. Ioannes' suffering produced amazing letters, like a dweller in heaven envying those in Hades. Ioannes wanted to exchange happiness in Euchaïta for instability in the capital, maybe changing places (but not offices) with Psellos. But (he asked) had not Ioannes just left the Eden of the City? It was now under the sway of the Alan princess (a sight to make Ioannes forget Euchaïta) who outshone the old pair of Zoe (now deceased) and Theodora. As for Ioannes' nephew, his studies were going well with several teachers, especially Psellos 
Dates:
1053 (Uncertain) 
old man needing help from Ioannes Mauropous (Anonymus 2299)
  • His petition to Ioannes 289 was supported by a letter from Michael 61, though Ioannes' kindness was such that no letter was needed (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 173.440-441
nephew of Ioannes Mauropous (Anonymus 2356)
  • He was doing well in his studies with several teachers, including Michael 61 (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 34, 56.12-18
Ioannes Mauropous, metropolitan of Euchaita (Ioannes 289)
  • He had a letter from Michael 61 about Anonymus 2299, though his petition would be granted with no letter; he and Psellos were both happy and unhappy, Ioannes in a good place far from home, Psellos at home suffering humiliation (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 173.440-441
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • But (he asked) had not Ioannes 289 just left the Eden of the City? it was now under Anonyma 210 (a sight to make him forget Euchaïta) who outshone Zoe 1 and Theodora 1; his nephew was doing well with several teachers, especially Psellos (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 34, 54.28-56.18
  • He used the petition of Anonymus 2299 as a reason to write to Ioannes 289, though it would be granted with no letter; he and Ioannes were both happy and unhappy, Ioannes in a good place far from home, Psellos at home suffering humiliation (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 173.440-441
  • He wrote to Ioannes 289 about Anonymus 2299 τῷ μητροπολίτῃ Εὐχαΐτων Psellos Letters (Sathas) 173.440-441
  • He told Ioannes 289 his suffering produced amazing letters, like a sky-dweller envying those in Hades; Ioannes wanted to exchange happiness in Euchaïta for instability in the capital, maybe changing places (but not offices) with Psellos (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 34, 53.12-54.27
  • He wrote to Ioannes 289, mocking his wish to return to the capital Psellos Letters (K - D) 53.12-56.18
Empress Theodora (Theodora 1)
  • She and the memory of her sister Zoe 1 were now outshone by Anonyma 210 (:) ὑπὸ σελήνην [...] ἡ ἡλιῶσα καὶ τηλαυγὴς συζυγία Psellos Letters (K - D) 34, 55.7-29
Empress Zoe (Zoe 1)
  • Her memory and her surviving sister Theodora 1 were now outshone by Anonyma 210 (:) ὑπὸ σελήνην [...] ἡ ἡλιῶσα καὶ τηλαυγὴς συζυγία Psellos Letters (K - D) 34, 55.7-29