Psellos' Imperial Poetry

The poetry of Michael Psellos (1018-1081) reveals a strong connection with the imperial court. The poems edited by Westerink and considered genuine by him (1-52) are often dedicated the emperors or empresses and the content is tied to dynamics at the palace. Therefore Psellos’ genuine poetic production may be considered ‘poesies d’occasion’ or ‘Gelegenheitsdichtung’ or imperial poetry.