Pothos was told by the emperor to measure land in dispute between Drimys & some villagers: Psellos turned this into philosophy

Summary:
Scientific discoveries, Psellos said, arise from physical observation. The emperor asked Pothos, son of the droungarios, to measure out land disputed between Drimys and some villagers, inspiring geometry in praise of the Creator. Pothos should make Drimys less bitter (a pun on his name) 
Dates:
1060 (Uncertain) 
Drimys, landowner involved in dispute (Anonymus 2361)
  • He was in dispute with some villagers over land, and Pothos 102 was asked by the emperor to measure and divide it; Michael 61 placed this in a scientific and theological framework, and told Pothos to make Drimys less bitter (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 42, 69.3-70.25
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • Scientific discoveries, he said, arise from physical observation; the emperor asked Pothos 102 to measure out land disputed between Anonymus 2361 and villagers, inspiring geometry in praise of the Creator; Pothos should make Drimys less bitter (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 42, 69.3-70.25
  • He wrote to Pothos 102 about an imperial commission to measure disputed land Psellos Letters (K - D) 42, 69.3-70.25
Pothos, vestarches and cousin of Michael Psellos (Pothos 102)
  • He had an imperial commission to measure land disputed between Anonymus 2361 and villagers; Michael 61 placed this in a scientific and theological framework, and told him to make Drimys less bitter (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 42, 69.3-70.25