Michael Psellus’ Allegories I (A Translation and Notes)

The publication presents a commented Russian translation of Michael Psellus’ four minor works written in the genre of allegory, meaning a philosophical interpretation of characters and plots from Ancient Greek mythology and literature, primarily Homeric. The method of allegorical philosophico-philological commentary was first fully elaborated by adherents of Stoa (from Zeno to Cornutus), was later expansively exploited by Platonists (Plutarchus), Alexandrian scholars, Fathers of the Church among them, and subsequently by Neoplatonists (Porphyry of Tyre should be mentioned here in particular). This means that Psellus is guided by an ancient tradition and in his turn transfers it on to the next generations of Byzantine scholars (John Tzetzes, Eustathius of Thessalonica). Other considerations aside, the undoubted service rendered to us by all these commentators inclined to allegorical interpretations is the enormous volume of information on Ancient Greek mythology we have at our disposal nowadays. The philosophical value of allegorical interpretation is also undeniable, since it addresses a number of everlasting issues on the condition humaine, the disposition and purpose of the human being and subjectivity. In this respect, two of the four allegories presented here, are especially significant, those on Tantalus and on the Sphinx. Two additional allegories, on the Cave of the Nymphs in Homer, and on the encounter of Odysseus and Circe, are indicative of the continuity between Psellus and the early Neoplatonist Porphyry, the author of the treatise De antro nympharum. The first critical edition of the four allegories had been prepared by J.F. Boissonade (Boissonade 1851: 341–371). The present translation is based on two currently authoritative editions of Psellus’ minor works and orations, by J.M. Duffy (Duffy 1992) and A.R. Littlewood (Littlewood 1985).