Theophanes of Mytilene

Theophanes of Mytilene ( * Mytilene ) was an ancient Greek politician and historian who lived in the 1st century BC.

Theophanes was born in Mytilene on the island of Lesbos, his father called Hieroitas. The Greeks formed Theophanes was an important political advisor to the Roman generals Pompey. He accompanied Pompey during his campaign against Mithridates VI. of Pontus and successfully lobbied for the interests of his home town, which won independence again. Theophanes was granted Roman citizenship, he changed his name to Pompey Theophanes; besides, he was also taken to knighthood, probably due to the influence of his patron Pompey. He remained until the fall of Pompey in the vicinity and advised him probably to flee to Egypt, where Pompey was murdered, however. Theophanes died after 44 BC; after his death, tributes were proven simply because of his merits in Mytilene divine. Descendants of Theophanes should have had still to early imperial period some influence in Rome.

Theophanes wrote a to a few fragments now lost historical work, which was dedicated to the exploits of Pompey, these well- represented in a very favorable light.