Psellos gave one classical & one magical interpretation of a carved stone he was asked to examine for Michael VII

Summary:
Michael VII (or Konstantinos X) had asked Psellos to examine and interpret a carved stone with an inscription. Psellos gave one classical and and one "magic" interpretation: in the first, he identified the scene as the armed Odysseus resisting Circe and holding moly, quoting lines of Homer and describing the stone in some detail, recording preserved letters. His alternative "magical" interpretation would be typical of Basileios the "magician": Psellos was surprised he had not so far expresed an opinion on the stone. In that, what he had called Circe's throne might be an altar containing an animal to be sacrificed by a priest in honour of peace. He ended with a wish for peace for the emperor 
Dates:
1073 (Uncertain) 
Basileios the "magician" (Basileios 2107)
  • He gave "magical" interpretations of mythological scenes; Michael 61 was surprised that he had not done so for a stone he was examining for Michael 7 (or Konstantinos 10) Psellos Letters (K - D) 188, 209.6-22
Emperor Konstantinos X Doukas (Konstantinos 10)
  • He asked Michael 61 to examine and interpret a carved stone with an inscription: Psellos gave a classical and a "magic" interpretation, ending with a wish for peace for the emperor [to be dated in the 1060's. if Konstantinos was the emperor] (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 188, 207.23-209.24
Emperor Michael VII Doukas (Michael 7)
  • He asked Michael 61 to examine and interpret a carved stone with an inscription: Psellos gave a classical and a "magic" interpretation, ending with a wish for peace for the emperor Psellos Letters (K - D) 188, 207.23-209.24
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He wrote a report for Michael 7 (or Konstantinos 10) on a carved stone with an inscription; he identified the scene as the armed Odysseus resisting Circe and holding moly, quoting lines of Homer and describing it in some detail, recording preserved letters (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 188, 207.23-209.6
  • He offered an alternative “magical” interpretation (typical of Basileios 2107); Circe’s throne might be an altar containing an animal to be sacrificed by a priest in honour of peace - which he wished for Konstantinos 10 (:) Psellos Letters (K - D) 188, 209.6-22
  • He wrote a report for Michael 7 (or Konstantinos 10) on a carved stone Psellos Letters (K - D) 188, 207.23-209.24