Psellos with 2 colleagues sent as ambassadors to Isaakios Komnenos at Nikomedia

Summary:
Some days after the battle of Polemon/Hades, Michael Psellos was asked by Michael VI to go on an embassy to Isaakios (I) Komnenos at Nikomedia. His first reaction was negative: Isaakios, after winning the battle, would be in no mood for compromise, and dicussions now might make things harder in the future. Michael VI assumed his refusal was due to cowardice or disloyalty. Psellos then said that to persuade him, Michael should add another prominent senator to the embassy, to make it less of a private affair, and suggested Theodoros (Leon) Alopos. Michael accepted the proposal, as did Theodoros. The two ambassadors chose a third, Konstantinos Leichoudes. They equipped themselves with letters from Michael to Isaakios, offering to adopt him as a son, give him the dignity of kaisar, and an amnesty to his supporters 
Dates:
1057 
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • Select men from the senate were sent to him as ambassadors: they were the proedros Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes, the proedros Theodoros 106 Alopos and Michael 61 Psellos, hypatos of the philosophers (:) Zonaras 18.3.2
  • Michael 61 asked, if Michael 6 wished him to follow his orders, that he should send someone else prominent in the senate with him, so that his words would be from two people and his answers to two and in public (:) ὁ ἐκείνου ἀμοιβαδὸν ἐπὶ δημοσίας γένηται ἀκοῆς Psellos: Chronographia VII 17.17-22
  • Michael 61, Theodoros 106 and Konstantinos 13 received letters for Isaakios from Michael 6, or rather they discussed and arranged an offer that he might be crowned with the insignia of kaisar but be subject to Michael (:) ὁμοῦ καὶ στεφανηφοροίη τῷ τοῦ καίσαρος σχήματι καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ ὑποτάττοιτο Psellos: Chronographia VII 19.1-6
  • After letting several days pass Michael 6 asked Michael 61 to make peace with Isaakios, to lead an embassy for the emperor with secret proposals to him and by his eloquence and sophistic skill to soften his heart (:) καταμαλθάξαι τὴν ἐκείνου ψυχὴν πρὸς αὐτὸν μεταθήσεσθαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 15.1-5
  • Michael 61 told Michael 6 that it was clear that Isaakios would not be persuaded, fresh as he was from victory and elevated by success, to relinquish power and change to accept a lesser position (:) τὸ κράτος ἀφεῖναι καὶ ἄλλο τι τῶν ἐλαττόνων μεταβουλεύσασθαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 15.10-12
Konstantinos III Leichoudes, patriarch of Constantinople (Konstantinos 13)
  • Was sent on an embassy by the emperor (Michael 6) to Komnenos (Isaakios 1) at Nikomedeia, promising to make the latter kaisar -provided that he lay down his arms- and an adopted son of the emperor, and to give an amnesty to his supporters: in association with Theodoros 106, Michael 61 (:) Skylitzes 496.81-90
  • Was sent as ambassador to Isaakios 1 Komnenos: in association with Theodoros 106 Alopos and Michael 61 Psellos (:) Zonaras 18.3.2
  • After meeting and exchanging views Michael 61 and Theodoros 106 chose him [unnamed] to join their embassy (to Isaakios 1) (:) ἕτερον αὖθις αἱρούμεθα τῆς πρεσβείας ἡμῖν συμμεθέξοντα Psellos: Chronographia VII 18.6-7
  • He agreed to join the embassy and became its finest part; they received letters from Michael 6 for Isaakios 1, or rather examined and arranged them so that Isaakios might have the insignia of kaisar but obey Michael (:) μέρος τὸ κάλλιστον ἡμῶν γίνεται Psellos: Chronographia VII 19.1-6
  • He was chosen as one of the fellow-envoys of Michael 61 from Michael 6 to Isaakios 1 to add credibility and lustre, and was thought by many to be the most important of the three (:) μήπως καὶ ἀτυχήσαντά με παραπρεσβείας οἱ πολλοὶ γράψοιντο Psellos Leichoudes 408
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • Sent Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106 and Konstantinos Psellos (Michael 61) as envoys to Komnenos (Isaakios 1), promising to make the latter kaisar -provided that he lay down his arms-, adopt him as his son, and give an amnesty to his supporters (:) Skylitzes 496.81-90
  • Michael 61 asked him, if he wished him to obey the order, that he send someone else from the higher levels of the senate with him; then his words would be from two people, and Isaakios 1's answers to two and in public (:) ἤν με βούλῃ ... ὑπηρετηκέναι σου τῷ προστάγματι Psellos: Chronographia VII 17.17-22
  • After letting several days pass he asked Michael 61 to make peace with Isaakios 1, lead an embassy to him with secret proposals and by his eloquence and sophistic skill to soften his heart to turn towards him (:) με πρὸς τὸν Κομνηνὸν σπείσασθαι ἀξιοῖ Psellos: Chronographia VII 15.1-5
  • Pleased with Michael 61's suggestion he told him to choose anyone he liked from the senate (:) ἐπῄνεσε τὸν λόγον Psellos: Chronographia VII 18.1-2
  • At first hearing, Michael 61, his ear struck as by a thunderbolt, refused his request, saying he would not voluntarily serve him on such a command: it was very dangerous and the outcome not in doubt, but perfectly simple (:) οὐκ ἂν ἑκὼν εἶναι ... ὑπηρετήσωμαί σοι τοιούτῳ προστάγματι Psellos: Chronographia VII 15.5-10
  • He gave Michael 61, Theodoros 106 and Konstantinos 13 letters for Isaakios 1, or rather they examined and arranged his letters so that Isaakios might have the insignia of kaisar but obey the emperor (:) ὁμοῦ καὶ στεφανηφοροίη τῷ τοῦ καίσαρος σχήματι καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ ὑποτάττοιτο Psellos: Chronographia VII 19.1-6
  • Michael 61 told him that it was clear that Isaakios 1 would not be persuaded, fresh as he was from victory and elevated by success, to relinquish power and accept a lesser position (:) δῆλον γὰρ ὡς οὐ πείσεται Psellos: Chronographia VII 15.10-12
  • He accused Michael 61 of neglecting friendship and refusing to use his eloquence to help his master in misfortune; when he became emperor he had treated him as before, but he failed to reciprocate and would incur reproach (:) ὅπως δὲ ἂν ἀμύναιο ἀτυχοῦσι φίλοις, καὶ σὺν Θεῷ φάναι δεσπόταις, οὐ συννενόηκας Psellos: Chronographia VII 16.1-13
  • Michael 61 told him he was not afraid, but Isaakios 1 confident after victory would not listen; his embassy would be rejected haughtily and he reproached for making Isaakios more arrogant; later embassies would be ignored (:) μήτε τινὰ λόγον ἐκ βασιλέως ἥκοντα, μήτε πρεσβείαν προσίεσθαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 17.1-17
  • After defeat by Isaakios 1, he (unnamed) and his advisors sent him envoys: Michael 61 (chosen first), with Theodoros 106 (unnamed - an establishment figure) and Konstantinos 13, to ensure credibility in the case of failure (:) Psellos Leichoudes 407-408
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • Was sent on an embassy by the emperor Michael 6 to Komnenos (Isaakios 1) at Nikomedeia, promising to make the latter kaisar - provided that he lay down his arms - and an adopted son of the emperor, and to give an amnesty to his supporters: in association with Konstantinos 13, Theodoros 106 (:) Skylitzes 496.81-90
  • Was sent as ambassador to Isaakios 1 Komnenos: in association with Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes and Theodoros 106 Alopos (:) Zonaras 18.3.2
  • Pleased with his suggestion (that he take a companion) Michael 6 told him to choose anyone he liked from the upper levels of the senate (:) ἑλοῦ ... ὃν ἄν βούλῃ τῶν τῆς ἄνω βουλῆς Psellos: Chronographia VII 18.1-2
  • At first hearing he refused Michael 6's request, which struck his ear like a thunderbolt; he said he would not voluntarily serve Michael in such a command: it was very dangerous and the outcome not in doubt, but perfectly simple (:) ἐμοὶ δὲ τήν γε πρώτην ἀκούσαντι, ὥσπερ ἀτεχνῶς καταβροντηθέντι Psellos: Chronographia VII 15.5-10
  • He chose Theodoros 106, whom he knew for sure would have the courage to go out with him; Theodoros immediately agreed to share the embassy; after meeting and exchanging views they chose Konstantinos 13 also to join the embassy (:) ὅν μάλιστα ᾔδειν τὴν σὺν ἐμοὶ θαρρήσοντα ἔξοδον Psellos: Chronographia VII 18.2-7
  • Konstantinos 13 joined the embassy and became its finest part; they received letters from Michael 6 for Isaakios 1, or rather examined and arranged them so that Isaakios might have the insignia of kaisar but obey Michael: in association with Theodoros 106 (:) μᾶλλον δὲ ἡμεῖς ταύτας διασκεψάμενοι καὶ ὅσον εἰκὸς οἰκονομήσαντες Psellos: Chronographia VII 19.1-6
  • He told (Michael 6) that it was clear that Isaakios 1 would not be persuaded, fresh as he was from victory and elevated by success, to relinquish power and change to accept a lesser position (:) δῆλον γὰρ ὡς οὐ πείσεται Psellos: Chronographia VII 15.10-12
  • When he hesitated over the embassy, Michael 6 accused him of neglecting friendship and refusing to use his eloquence to help his master in misfortune; when he became emperor Michael had treated Psellos as before, but he failed to reciprocate and would incur reproach (:) σὺ δέ μοι οὐδὲ τοσοῦτον δίδως ὁπόσον ἐπιεικὴς ἄνθρωπος ἐχθρῷ παρέσχετο κινδυνεύοντι Psellos: Chronographia VII 16.1-13
  • He told Michael 6 he was not afraid, but Isaakios 1, confident after victory, would not listen; his embassy would be rejected haughtily and he would be reproached for making Isaakios more arrogant; later embassies would be ignored (:) οἱ δέ γε πολλοὶ διαβαλοῦσί με, ὡς αὐτὸς τὴν πρὸς σὲ πίστιν προδούς Psellos: Chronographia VII 17.1-17
  • He asked, if Michael 6 wished him to obey the order, that he send someone else from the upper senate with him; then his words would be from two people and Isaakios 1's answers to two and in public (:) ἐπὶ δημοσίας γένηται ἀκοῆς Psellos: Chronographia VII 17.17-22
  • After several days Michael 6 asked him to make peace with Isaakios 1, to lead an embassy for him with secret proposals to Isaakios and by his eloquence and sophistic skill to soften his heart to turn to Michael (:) δι᾿ εὐγλωττίας καὶ σοφιστικῆς δυναμέως καταμαλθάξαι τὴν ἐκείνου ψυχήν Psellos: Chronographia VII 15.1-5
  • He was chosen by Michael 6 to handle negotiations with Isaakios 1 after the latter’s victory; he associated with himself Theodoros 106 (an establishment figure - unnamed) and Konstantinos 13, to ensure credibility in the case of failure (:) μήπως καὶ ἀτυχήσαντά με παραπρεσβείας οἱ πολλοὶ γράψοιντο Psellos Leichoudes 408
Theodoros (Leon) Alopos, envoy of Michael VI to Isaakios Komnenos (Theodoros 106)
  • Was sent on an embassy by the emperor (Michael 6) to Komnenos (Isaakios 1) at Nikomedeia, promising to make the latter kaisar (provided that he lay down his arms) and an adopted son of the emperor, and to give an amnesty to his supporters: in association with Konstantinos 13, Michael 61 (:) Skylitzes 496.81-90
  • Michael 61 chose him, as he knew for sure he would have the courage for the embassy, and he immediately agreed to share the work; after meeting and exchanging views they chose another (Konstantinos 13) to join them (:) ευθὺς ἀκούσας προσήκατο καὶ τὴν πρεσβείαν καὶ τὴν κοινωνίαν Psellos: Chronographia VII 18.2-7
  • Konstantinos 13 joined the embassy and became its finest part; they received letters from Michael 6 for Isaakios 1, or rather examined and arranged them so that Isaakios might have the insignia of kaisar but obey Michael: in association with Michael 61, Konstantinos 13 (:) μᾶλλον δὲ ἡμεῖς ταύτας διασκεψάμενοι καὶ ὅσον εἰκὸς οἰκονομήσαντες Psellos: Chronographia VII 19.1-6
  • He was chosen as one of the fellow-envoys of Michael 61 from Michael 6 to Isaakios 1 to avoid attacks from the ruling group in the case of failure (:) μήπως καὶ ἀτυχήσαντά με παραπρεσβείας οἱ πολλοὶ γράψοιντο Psellos Leichoudes 408
  • Was sent as ambassador to Isaakios 1 Komnenos: in association with Konstantinos 13 Leichoudes and Michael 61 Psellos (:) Zonaras 18.3.2