Distinguished himself in state affairs from the time of the accession of Monomachos (Konstantinos 9) until the present and became most famous for his administrative skills after he was appointed guardian of the income and privileges of Mangana
With the art of rhetoric, which he had enhanced by rendering it more persuasive, he combined civil law, articulating it with precise connections, that is, he elaborated the established law by practising it with greater art
His stature, fine physique and the expression of his tongue became him - sonorous and clear, especially when he was declaiming the imperial orders from on high
As he had been endowned by heaven with a most practical mind he scrutinised public business with great rationality and natural talent; although he loved every kind of fine speech, he applied himself to forensic speaking
τούτῳ δὴ τῷ καλλίστῳ ἀνδρί. Psellos: Chronographia VI 179.12
The very powerful man
τοῦ κρατίστου ἀνδρὸς. Psellos: Chronographia VI 179.12
First of the Romans, chief of the senatorial council, whose mind was rival to his tongue, his tongue to his mind; he tended Konstantinos 9 and was later patriarch; himself vowed to the Word he also dedicated Isaakios 1 to the Father
In others virtue does not yield to circumstance, restrict free speech nor reduce the willful; in him the (?) balance of his life was suited to exact precision and management (?), and he handled affairs like a philosopher not an orator
Anyone who interrogated him as a politician found him graced with priestly dignity; anyone who approached him as a priest, even if afraid and trembling, found him glittering with a politicina's charm, with firm character and smiling gravity
Even before he became patriarch, Michael 61 often predicted that he would, making a prophecy about his future life, and after he became patriarch Michael 61 continued to recognize his very fine character
Distinguished himself in state affairs and politics from the time of Monomachos (Konstantinos 9) until the accession of Isaakios 1
ἀνὴρ μέγιστον διαλάμψας. Attaleiates: History 66.13-15 / 51.2-4
He is described in the encomium written by Michael 61 as having all the virtues and being very learned in a particularly well-rounded way
Psellos Leichoudes 388-390
His family is described, in the encomium written by Michael 61, as respectable and rising in distinction to a crescendo in him: he was thus probably not of distinguished birth
He was apparently seen by Michael 61 before he was fully mature, and Michael was greatly impressed by his intelligent eyes, elevated manner and precise speech
πρὸ τῆς τελείας ἀκμῆς. Psellos Leichoudes 391
His educational attainments were complemented by modest and harmonious attitudes and bearing
Psellos Leichoudes 397-398
He was a man of the old school, as shown in the encomium written by Michael 61, modest in habits, clothing and diet, neither a skinflint nor a spendthrift, making no enemies and taking no bribes, as if preparing to be patriarch
Psellos Leichoudes 403-404
He gave away to the poor all the money he received, apart from some he reserved for the members of his family; he was sympathetic and never angry with anybody
Psellos Leichoudes 413
Perhaps introduced into Michael 61s epitaph for Isaakios 1 as a friend of the deceased
φίλου. Psellos Poema 20.12
Was previously head of imperial administration, in all respects an antithesis to Ioannes 115 in birth and education and exactitude in political management
An envoy of the emperor (Michael 6) to Komnenos (Isaakios 1), he was considered to be one of the most distinguished men of his time in wisdom and eloquence
A man who had for long distinguished himself in the administration of public affairs and had remained without reproach, to whom (Konstantinos 9) Monomachos both handed over care of the Mangana and entrusted the documents concerning its freedom