PSEUSTIS. This is the name of a character in the poem Ecloga Theoduli, a tenth-century poem whose author is otherwise unknown. Pseustis plays a flute and comes from Athens; he represents paganism and debates Alethia, who claims descent from David and plays a harp. The poem formed part of the Auctores octo morales (Eight Moral Authors) used as a primary school text from the Middle Ages until the middle of the sixteenth century; it served as a book of instruction in grammar as well as a moral and religious tract. Bernard of Utrecht wrote a commentary on the poem at the end of the eleventh century, and Bernard Silvester also wrote a commentary about 1150. Wynkyn de Worde published an edition in 1515. Pseustis presents examples from mythology in his argument with Alethia, who counters with examples from Christian sources, and Pseustis loses the debate.

Pseustis appears with other flute players, Atiteris and Marcia, HF III.1227-1230. [Atiteris: Marcia]

Pseustis, which means "liar," appears in final rhyming position, HF III.1228.