PETER SICULUS (SICULO). - A history of the Manichaeans or Paulicians is attributed to him (PG 104, 1240-1349); he is a much-discussed figure; not even his existence is established (Krumbacher, 78).

Karapet-Ter-Mkrttsian thinks that the aforementioned work was written only under the empire of Alexius Comnenus (1081-1118), but this opinion must be rejected, since the first part of the book Δήλγησις περὶ τῆς Μανίχαίων ἀναβλαστήσεως attributed to Photius (PG 102, 16 A-264 A) coincides almost verbatim with a part of the aforementioned book, and the manuscript basis of the "Photian" book goes back to the 10th century (cod. Vat. Pal. gr. 216). Since nos. 1-15 of the first book of the supposed work of Photius are also found in other authors, namely Georgios Monachos and Hegumenos Petros, the problem concerning the history of the Manichaeans attributed to P. S. remains very complicated and so far insoluble. However, Aristarchos adduces probable reasons for attributing the disputed work rather to Photius.

Bibliography6 works

BIBL.: Krumbacher, p. 78; R. Janin, Pierre de Sicile, in DThC, XII, coll. 2044-45; E. Amann, Photius, in DThC, XII, coll. 1541-42; Karapet-Ter-Mkrttsian, Die Paulicianer im byzantinischen Kaiserreiche, Leipzig 1893, pp. 13-16; S. Aristarchos, Φωτίον λόγοι καὶ ὁμιλίας, I, Constantinople 1901, pp. 333-34; J. Scharf, Zur Echtheitsfrage der Manichäerbächer des Photos, in Byz. Zeitschr., 44 (1951), pp. 487-94.

Giorgio Hofmann

@incollection{ec9_pietro_sikeliotes_siculo, author = {Hofmann, Giorgio}, title = {Pietro Sikeliotes (Siculo)}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {IX}, pages = {1448}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1952}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/pietro-sikeliotes-siculo} }

One of some 20,000 entries brought back from the twelve printed volumes (1948–54). Spotted something? Help us improve it.

Peter Siculus (Siculo)

About this entry