On the embassy, Psellos' speech persuaded Isaakios (I) to accept rank of kaisar

Summary:
[Suspect: Psellos speaking of his own brilliance]. In a clever prologue he made no accusations but began with the kaisar's shared acclamation and other favours and honours granted by Michael VI. Those nearby listened quietly, but the crowd behind cried that they wanted Isaakios to remain emperor. Psellos waited for silence, then stated that most emperors, including the best, had previously been kaisares. To the objection that Isaakios already had imperial power Psellos said that he was not yet emperor, and his position (he avoided 'usurpation') was not honourable. Nothing justified usurpation. If he gave up the name 'emperor', he would rule legitimately. Psellos urged him to honour his new father the emperor and inherit the throne lawfully. Isaakios was persuaded, but confused accusations arose behind. Psellos kept quiet, but Isaakios silenced them, saying that Psellos had traced events in simple words; it was wrong to upset the dialogue. Psellos faced threats of violence by saying that this would be an admission of usurpation. Isaakios honoured Psellos and dismissed the assembly 
Dates:
1057 
Emperor Isaakios I Komnenos (Isaakios 1)
  • To the objection that he already had imperial power Michael 61 said that he was not yet emperor, and his position (he avoided 'usurpation') was not honourable; if he gave up the name emperor, he would rule legitimately (:) οὐδ᾿ ἐπαινούμενον ὄνομα τῷ καθ᾿ ὑμᾶς προσήρμοσται σχήματι Psellos: Chronographia VII 29.1-8
  • Michael 61 persuaded him, but a confused clamour of accusations arose behind; he kept quiet, but Isaakios silenced it, saying that Psellos had traced events in simple words; it was wrong to upset the dialogue (:) ἑπόμενος δὲ τοῖς πράγμασιν, ἀφελεῖ ταῦτα φωνῇ διηγήσατο Psellos: Chronographia VII 31.1-11
  • His attendants, wishing to shake Michael 61, urged Isaakios to save the speaker, since the soldiers had drawn their swords to kill him; Psellos smiled, saying that if he were killed for giving them empire, this proved their usurpation (:) ἀλλ᾿, ὦ βασιλεῦ, ἔφασαν, σὺ δὲ ἀπολούμενον αὐτίκα σῶσον τὸν ῥήτορα Psellos: Chronographia VII 31.11-22
  • In a clever prologue Michael 61 made no accusations but began with the kaisar's shared acclamation and other favours and honours granted by Michael 6; those nearby listened quietly but the crowd behind cried that they wanted him emperor (:) οὐ βουλοιντ᾿ ἂν ἄλλως τὸν προεστηκότα ἰδεῖν ἢ ἐν βασιλείῳ τῷ σχήματι Psellos: Chronographia VII 27.1-8
  • He honoured Michael 61 and dismissed the assembly; he took aside Michael 61, Theodoros 106 and Konstantinos 13, saying he was in the army's power; if they swore to carry his unspoken wishes to Michael 6, he would reveal his secret thoughts (:) ἐξαγγελῶ ὑμῖν αὐτίκα τὰ τῆς ἐμῆς ψυχῆς κρύφια Psellos: Chronographia VII 32.1-10
  • When his opponents gave reasons for their 'common movement' Michael 61 appeared sympathetic but said that nothing justified usurpation, pointing out that if Isaakios were emperor, he would not tolerate such a plot (:) ἆρα ἂν αὐτάρκης πρὸς τὴν ἐπιβουλὴν ἡ ἀντίθεσις δόξῃ σοι Psellos: Chronographia VII 30.1-18
  • According to Michael 61, he had not been dishonoured, except in not getting his wish; others, not Michael 6, caused his sufferings; when he was silent, Psellos urged him to honour his father (Michael 6) and inherit the throne lawfully (:) Σὺ δε, ἔφην, οὐδὲ ἠτίμασο, εὶ μὴ ὅσον ἀποτετυχήκοις ὧν προβεβούλησαι Psellos: Chronographia VII 30.18-25
Emperor Michael VI Stratiotikos (Michael 6)
  • In a clever prologue Michael 61 made no accusations but began with the kaisar's shared acclamation and other favours and honours granted by the emperor; those nearby listened quietly but the crowd behind cried that they wanted Isaakios 1 as emperor (:) χαρίτας αὐτοῖς ἄλλας κατέλεξα καὶ τιμὰς μειζόνας παρὰ τοῦ κρατοῦντος κεχαρισμένας Psellos: Chronographia VII 27.1-8
  • Michael 61 mentioned the adoption promised by the emperor, noting that Konstantinos, founder of the empire, made his real sons kaisar first before promoting them emperor, while Isaakios 1 was only adopted; after 'adopted' Psellos left his sentence in suspense (:) τὴν ἐπαγγελθεῖσαν υἱοθεσίαν παρὰ τοῦ κρατοῦντος Psellos: Chronographia VII 29.9-19
  • Michael 61 said that Isaakios 1 had not been dishonoured, except in not getting his wish; others, not the emperor, caused Isaakios' sufferings; when Isaakios was silent, Psellos urged him to honour the emperor and inherit the throne lawfully (:) γηροκόμησον τὸν πατέρα, ἵνα ἐννόμως τοῦ σκήπτρου κληρονομήσῃς Psellos: Chronographia VII 30.18-25
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • When his opponents gave reasons for their 'common movement' he appeared sympathetic but said that nothing justified usurpation, pointing out that Isaakios 1, if he were emperor, would not tolerate such a usurpation (:) εὐθὺς πλαγίως ἀπέσεισα, δεινὰ μὲν ἐκεῖνα φήσας, οὐ μὴν ἀποχρῶντα πρὸς τυραννίδα Psellos: Chronographia VII 30.1-18
  • No one noticed that he spoke with artlessness and wisdom alike, imitating Lysias' use of everyday words but adorning everyday simple language with very artful thoughts; he will recall the main points of his speech as far as he can remember (:) ἰδιωτικῶς φθεγγόμενος ὁμοῦ καὶ σοφῶς Psellos: Chronographia VII 26.14-18
  • He said that Isaakios 1 had not been dishonoured, except in not getting his wish; others, not Michael 6, caused his sufferings; when Isaakios was silent he urged him to honour his father (Michael) and inherit the throne lawfully (:) μετάλλαξαι οὖν, πρσοεθέμην τὸ σχῆμα, καὶ γενοῦ τῆς κρείττονος γνώμης Psellos: Chronographia VII 30.18-25
  • Being on strong ground he was not diverted but stood in silence waiting for the mob to quieten, which they did after much shouting (:) ἤδη γὰρ ἐμαυτὸν τοῖς σταθηροτάτοις λογισμοῖς ἤδρασα Psellos: Chronographia VII 28.1-6
  • He persuaded Isaakios 1, but a confused clamour of accusations arose behind which he has never forgotten; he kept quiet, but Isaakios silenced it, saying that he had traced events in simple words; it was wrong to upset the dialogue (:) αἴρεται κατόπιν φημή, ἣν οὐδέπω τῶν ὤτων ἀπεσεισάμην Psellos: Chronographia VII 31.1-11
  • He quietly began to reveal his more antagonistic points: without blaming (the rebels) he spoke of the ladder of progress to imperial power - first practice, then theory; most emperor, including the best, had been elevated to the throne from kaisar (:) τοὺς ἀγωνιστικωτέρους τῶν λόγων ἠρέμα ἠρξάμην παραγυμνοῦν Psellos: Chronographia VII 28.6-14
  • Anonymi 6053, wishing to shake him, urged Isaakios 1 to save him, since the soldiers had drawn their swords to kill him; he smiled, saying that if he were to be killed for giving them empire, this proved their usurpation (:) τῶν δὲ περὶ αὐτὸν ἔνιοι διασεῖσαί μοι βουλόμενοι τὴν ψυχήν Psellos: Chronographia VII 31.11-22
  • To the objection that Isaakios 1 already had imperial power he said that he was not yet emperor, and his position (he avoided 'usurpation') was not honourable; if he gave up the name emperor, he would rule legitimately (:) ἐδεδίειν γὰρ ὀνομαστὶ εἰρηκέναι τὴν τυραννίδα Psellos: Chronographia VII 29.1-8
  • He mentioned the adoption promised by Michael 6, noting that Konstantinos the Great made his real sons Kaisar first before promoting them emperor, while Isaakios 1 was only adopted; after 'adopted' he left his sentence in suspense (:) τὸ ἐπώνυμον τῷ λόγῳ ἀφεὶς ἀπεκρέμασα τὴν περίοδον Psellos: Chronographia VII 29.9-19
  • In a clever prologue he made no accusations but began with the kaisar's shared acclamation and other favours and honours granted by Michael 6; those nearby listened quietly but the crowd behind cried that they wanted Isaakios 1 emperor (:) ἐδείνωσα γοῦν εὐθὺς τὸ προοίμιον, οὐκ ἀσοφῶς εἰρηκώς, ἀλλὰ τεχνικῶς Psellos: Chronographia VII 27.1-8