PETER OF SICILY (SICULUS). — A history of the Manichees or Paulicians is attributed to him (PG 104, 1240-1349); he is a much-debated figure, and even his existence is not certain (Krumbacher, 78).
Karapet-Ter-Mkrttsian holds that the aforementioned work was composed only under the Empire of Alexios Komnenos (1081-1118), but this view must be rejected, since the first part of the book Διήγησις περί τῆς Μαγνάλων ἀναβασθήσεως 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, moreover, in other authors, namely George the Monk and Hegumenos Peter, we find nos. 1-15 of the first book of the supposed work of Photius, the question surrounding the history of the Manichees attributed to P. S. remains very complicated and thus far insoluble. Yet Aristarchos adduces probable reasons for attributing the work in question rather to Photius.