Psellos' sickness (partly feigned) which he used to support demands for tonsure

Summary:
As he was looking for a reason to join Ioannes Xiphilinos on Mt Olympos, God increased his desire and gave him stomach pains, which he magnified into life-threatening disease. Following Ioannes' example he feigned liver problems and serious heartburn, pretended to be demented, his soul conversing with things that stood over him. He checked his voice and pretended to cut his hair with his fingers. Konstantinos IX heard that he had been at death's door and totally depressed, but that when he got better he desired the better and higher life. Konstantinos was downcast at this news. At first he wailed and groaned deeply that Psellos' life was at risk, overwhelmed by the prospect of losing one whose talk he enjoyed. Later he did everything possible to keep Psellos in the capital 
Dates:
1054 
Ioannes VIII Xiphilinos, patriarch of Constantinople (Ioannes 18)
  • Following his example Michael 61 at once feigned liver problems and serious heartburn, pretended to be demented, his soul conversing with things that stood over him; checking his voice he pretended to cut his hair with his fingers (:) ἐγὼ δὲ παράδειγμα ἐκεῖνον θέμενος τῆς ὁμοίας μεταποιήσεως Psellos: Chronographia VI 197.1-6
Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos (Konstantinos 9)
  • Finally, when he heard that Michael 61 was preparing to depart, he relented and told him in an imperial command to do what his health demanded (showing his characteristic compassion) (:) Psellos Xiphilinos 421
  • News of Michael 61's departure soon reached him, how he was at death's door, his soul plunged in the depths of misery, but when he recovered his senses he sought the better and higher life (:) ἀγγελίαι γοῦν εὐθὺς τῆς ἐμῆς ἐντεῦθεν ἐκδημίας πρὸς τὸν κρατοῦντα ἐφοίτησαν Psellos: Chronographia VI 197.6-10
  • When he heard of the (much exaggerated) stomach pains of Michael 61, he replied with every kind of lament, threat and inducement to stay in the capital, writing imploring letters and reminding Michael of the past, without success (:) Psellos Xiphilinos 421
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • As he was looking for a reason to join Ioannes 18 on Mt Olympos, God increased his yearning and gave him stomach pains, which he magnified into life-threatening disease; Konstantinos 9 did everything possible to keep him in the capital (:) Psellos Xiphilinos 421
  • Following Ioannes 18's example he at once feigned liver problems and serious heartburn, pretended to be demented, his soul conversing with things that stood over him; checking his voice he pretended to cut his hair with his fingers (:) τό τε φρονοῦν μεταπλάττω, καὶ ὡς ἐφεστηκόσι τοῖς πράγμασι τῇ ψυχῇ διαλεγόμενος ἦν Psellos: Chronographia VI 197.1-6
  • News of his departure from his senses soon reached Konstantinos 9, how he was at death's door, his soul plunged in the depths of misery, but that when he recovered his senses he desired the better and higher life (:) ἐπειδὰν δὲ τὸ φρονοῦν ἀνενέγκω, τῆς κρείττονος ἐρῶ καὶ ὑψηλοτάτης ζωῆς Psellos: Chronographia VI 197.6-10
  • Konstantinos 9 was downcast at news of his affliction, more than it merited; at first he wailed and groaned deeply that Psellos' life was at risk; the prospect of losing him overwhelmed Konstantinos, who dearly loved his talk (:) πλέον ἢ τὸ ἐμὸν ἠδύνατο σχῆμα, κατενεχθεὶς ἔκειτο Psellos: Chronographia VI 197.10-15