Chares of Mytilene (Χάρης ὁ Μυτιληναῖος) was a Greek historian and court official of the 4th century BCE. He served as the εισάγγελος (eisangelos), or usher of ambassadors, in the court of Alexander the Great, a position that granted him direct observation of Alexander’s campaigns and administration [1]. A native of Mytilene on Lesbos, he accompanied Alexander into Asia, and his history covered events at least up to the king’s return from India [2].

His only known work is the "History of Alexander" (or "Stories about Alexander"), a text in at least ten books that is now lost and survives only in fragments [1][2].

Chares is a significant primary source for the reign of Alexander. His fragments, preserved by later authors like Plutarch and Athenaeus, provide valuable "inside narrative" details of court ceremonial, banquets, diplomatic receptions, and Alexander’s personal habits, supplementing the broader military histories [1][2].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chares-of-Mytilene 2. Perseus Digital Library, entry for "Chares (12)" in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dchares-bio-12