Psellos wrote letters of support for three persons to Zomas, krites of Opsikion

Summary:
Psellos wrote to Zomas about a notarios, accepting the need for exemplary punishment, but not of the innocent. If the man remained in disfavour, Psellos would assume that justice demanded it. The krites should use him or send him back as he wished. In a second letter Psellos spoke of another friend of his, an elderly man who had had little benefit in the capital from his friendship, since Psellos had lost favour with the palace. Zomas was asked for a sympathetic hearing of his misfortunes - which he would give freely in any case. The third letter concerned a relative, whom he had praised to Zomas orally in the capital and by letter. The man had a character like his own, though he was less lucky than Psellos, who shared with his family all his resources, including the krites and other friends. Zomas was asked to be part of a support network for him and other members of Psellos' family 
Dates:
1055 (Uncertain) 
notarios of Opsikion (Anonymus 2158)
  • He was in disfavour with Anonymus 2164, the krites of his theme, to whom Michael 61 wrote a letter, asking him to decide whether the disfavour was just; the krites should use him or not as he wished (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 24.260; (K - D) 142, 169.13-26
Zomas, krites of Opsikion (Anonymus 2164)
  • Anonymus 2462 was another friend of Michael 61, but had little benefit in the capital since Psellos had lost favour with the palace; so Zomas was asked for a sympathetic hearing of his misfortunes - which would be given freely in any case (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 143, 170.1-14
  • He received praise of Anonymus 2463 from Michael 61 orally in the capital and by letter, and was asked to be part of a support network for him and other members of PsellosÂ’ family (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 144, 170.15-171.13
  • He received a letter from Michael 61, accepting the need for exemplary punishment, but not of the innocent; if Anonymus 2158 remained in disfavour, Psellos would assume it was just; the krites should use him or return him as he wished (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 24.260; (K - D) 142, 169.13-26
elderly suppliant, friend of Michael Psellos (Anonymus 2462)
  • He was was another friend of Michael 61, but had little benefit in the capital since Psellos had lost favour with the palace; so Anonymus 2164 was asked for a sympathetic hearing of his misfortunes - which would be given freely in any case (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 143, 170.1-14
notarios, relative of Michael Psellos (Anonymus 2463)
  • He was praised by Michael 61 to Anonymus 2164 orally in the capital and by letter, having a character like PsellosÂ’ own, though he was less fortunate; Psellos shared with his family all his resources, including the krites and other friends (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 144, 170.15-171.13
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He wrote to Anonymus 2164, accepting the need for exemplary punishment, but not of the innocent; if Anonymus 2158 remained in disfavour, Psellos would assume that justice demanded it; the krites should use him or send him back as he wished (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 24.260; (K - D) 142, 169.13-26
  • He praised Anonymus 2463 to Anonymus 2164 orally in the capital and by letter; he was a relative with a character like his own, though less lucky than Psellos, who shared with his family all his resources, including the krites and other friends (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 144, 170.15-171.13
  • Anonymus 2462 was another friend of his, but had little benefit in the capital since Psellos had lost favour with the palace; so he asked Anonymus 2164 for a sympathetic hearing of his misfortunes - which would be given freely in any case (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 143, 170.1-14