Michael Psellus (Greek: Psellos) the elder, a native of Andros and a pupil of Photius, who flourished in the second half of the 9th century, was a theologian.
His study of the Alexandrine theology, as well as of profane literature, brought him under the suspicions of the orthodox, and a former pupil of his, by name Constantine, accused him in an elegiac poem of having abandoned Christianity.
In order to perfect his knowledge of Christian doctrine, Psellus had recourse to the instructions of Photius, and then replied to his adversary in a long iambic poem, in which he maintained his orthodoxy. None of his works has been preserved.
This entry was originally from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
