Michael Psellos, one of the most influential intellectuals and political figures of 11th-century Constantinople is widely known for his multifaceted literary corpus, which includes histories, philosophical treatises, theological writings, and letters. Despite the significant scholarly attention devoted to Psellos’ historical and philosophical works, his extensive letter corpus, critically edited by Papaioannou five years ago, remains underexplored. The project seeks to address this gap by providing a study of Psellos’ letters, with particular attention to the dynamics of power and gender that permeate his correspondence.
Psellos’ letters are distinct from his other works in that they were not intended for a broad public audience but were personal communications addressed to specific individuals for specific occasions. His correspondents ranged from emperors and empresses to fellow intellectuals, religious figures, and court officials. The situational and private nature of these letters, however, presents challenges for modern interpretation. They are often filled with complex literary flourishes, allusions, and hidden meanings, which obscure their immediate context. Reconstructing the exact political or personal circumstances behind each letter is frequently impossible. However, by situating the letters within the broader social and political context of 11th-century Constantinople, it is possible to understand how Psellos adeptly navigated shifting power structures to maintain his influence at court.
In this context, gender performance and narratives are intertwined with power dynamics. In Byzantine society, masculinity was equated with power, while femininity was associated with weakness. Rather than a dichotomy male and female were however viewed like poles on a spectrum which could be navigated in either directions by people. Drawing on Connell’s theory of gender and power, which emphasizes that gender is a key social force that shapes relationships of dominance and subordination, the project explores how Psellos employed gendered language and concepts to influence his correspondents.
Through analysing several key letters closely the project aims to answer the following questions: What were the structures of power in 11th-century Byzantine society, and how did Psellos navigate these networks? How was gender constructed and understood during this period, and how were gender roles used to reinforce or subvert power structures? In what ways do power and gender intersect in the social fabric of the 11th-century Byzantine Empire? How does Psellos employ the language of power and gender in his letters to manipulate his recipients and achieve his political aims?
By combining close textual analysis with a broader examination of the political and social landscape of 11th-century Byzantium, this study aims to offer a new understanding of Psellos’ letters and their significance in Byzantine history.