Psellos wrote to Zomas, krites of Opsikion, suggesting how to achieve retirement & tonsure

Summary:
Psellos wrote to Zomas, krites of Opsikion, over the latter's retirement plans. Zomas had a high reputation with Konstantinos IX for competence, which was good in itself, but negative to his plans for early retirement (for health resons) and tonsure. His letter had caused an argument between Psellos and Ioannes the logothetes on the one hand, who wanted to relieve him, and Konstantinos on the other, who decided to keep him as a good manager. Psellos' advice: if death was near he must insist; if not, he should ask again calmly for tonsure - which, in fact, needs long preparation, as Psellos himself knew 
Dates:
1054 (Uncertain) 
Zomas, krites of Opsikion (Anonymus 2164)
  • He applied to retire and be tonsured, dividing Michael 61 and Ioannes 115 (who agreed), from Konstantinos 9 (who refused, as he was competent); he was advised to insist, if death was near, or to reapply calmly and begin preparations (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 190.483-485
  • He had a high reputation with Konstantinos 9 for competence, which was good in itself, but negative to his plans for early retirement for health resons and tonsure Psellos Letters (Sathas) 190.484
Ioannes, logothetes under Konstantinos IX (Ioannes 115)
  • He and Michael 61 supported the application for retirement of Anonymus 2164, against Konstantinos 9, who wanted to keep him on, as a competent governor; the emperor won (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 190.483
Emperor Konstantinos IX Monomachos (Konstantinos 9)
  • He opposed Ioannes 115 and Michael 61, who supported the application for retirement of Anonymus 2164; he wanted to keep him on, as a competent governor, and, being emperor, won (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 190.483
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He told Anonymus 2164 that his letter caused an argument between Psellos and Ioannes 115, who wanted to relieve him, and Konstantinos 9, who decided to keep him on as a good governor (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 190.483
  • Such a reputation, he told Anonymus 2164, was bad for his plans for tonsure; PsellosÂ’ advice: if death was close he must insist, if not, he should ask again calmly for tonsure - which, in fact, needs long preparation, as Psellos himself knew (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 190.483-485
  • He wrote to Anonymus 2164 about the latter's plans for tonsure Psellos Letters (Sathas) 190.483-485