Theophylactus (Exarch)

Theophylact was an East Roman valet, Patricius and Exarch of Ravenna about 701/705.

Maybe Italy was a few years without Exarch. Under Emperor Tiberius II appears Theophylact, coming from Sicily ago in Rome. When the troops stationed at Rome learned of his arrival, they rose up against him, so that Pope John VI. the gates of the city had chosen and sent out priests that should appease the insurgents. That the Pope protected Theophylact, he probably partly due to the fact that from the south Gisulf I of Benevento was approaching, and did not like it advisable to the Pope to fully break with Byzantium. As some malicious individuals accusations against some wealthy inhabitants of Rome levied, the property they wanted to purchase apparently, Theophylactus punished the accusers.

Since the official residence of the Exarch of Ravenna is usually the Liber Pontificalis but explicitly telling you that the Exarch of Sicily ago had come to Rome, it could well have been the inauguration of the newly appointed Exarch. In this case, a more accurate dating than 701-705 would not be possible and the visit of the exarch in Rome rather random. The presence of the entire Italian troops, however, tends to suggest that a specific reason for such a concentration of forces was present, which one could think of the idea of Gisulfs of Benevento in the Roman Campania. The revolt against Theophylactus could, independently thereof, be explained by a party strife in Rome, the one ( losing ) party had called the Exarch.