Discussion between Psellos & Romanos, metropolitan of Kyzikos, about the value of monasteries by the charistike system

Summary:
He discussed his plans as a charistikarios with Romanos, metropolitan of Kyzikos, using the metaphor of marrying monasteries. The monastery of Artigenes (Romanos' suggestion) was already "married" to an elderly charistikarios, while Psellos preferred Mountania, recently "widowed" of two owners. He promised Romanos to offer his monastery "bride" better presents, farm animals, not jewels. Artigenes would be expensive, while Mountania could be kept happy with a smile and an elderly co-investor to make him look young by comparison 
Dates:
1058 (Uncertain) 
charistikarios of Artigenes monastery (Anonymus 2166)
  • He was already owner of Artigenes monastery, as Michael 61 pointed out when Romanos 108 suggested it as an investment (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 178.456
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He discussed his plans as a charistikarios with Romanos 108 by the metaphor of marrying monasteries: Artigenes (Romanos' suggestion) was already "married" to Anonymus 2166, while Psellos preferred Mountania, recently "widowed" of two owners (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 178.456-457
  • He promised Romanos 104 to offer his monastery "bride" better presents, farm animals, not jewels; Artigenes would be expensive, while Mountania could be kept happy with a smile and an elderly colleague to make him look young by comparison (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 178.456-457
Romanos, metropolitan of Kyzikos [1072] (Romanos 108)
  • He proposed the monastery of Artigenes as an investment for Michael 61, though it belonged to Anonymus 2166; Psellos preferred Mountania, which had twice lost its owner, as a cheaper option needing only animals, especially with a co-investor (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 178.456-457