The Michael Psellus’ ‘Chronographia’

The Reception of Classical Tradition and the Synthesis with the Christian View of History

Abstract

In this approach to the Chronographia, the objective will be to analyze the methodological guidelines and the object of historical study in the work of Michael Psellus, who although shares the constants of classic historiography, is new in its conception of historical happening framed in a totalized and transcended vision. The article includes two essential parts: first it approaches the career path of the author from his classic formation to his participation in governmental duties, and as a fruition of these facets of his life, both academic and in public management, it will present his work, the Chronographia, in its formal aspects. Second it will undertake a historiographical analysis of the work, bearing in mind the constituent elements of the historical endeavor, like space and time, a critique of the sources and finally his expository method and narrative resources, and the use of language as a mean for expression at the service of public power.