Metrophanes Historicus (Μητροφάνης ὁ Ἱστορικός) was a Greek historian of the 3rd–4th century CE, during the late Roman and early Byzantine era. He is an obscure figure, with no biographical details recorded. The epithet "Historicus" distinguishes him from the more noted Metrophanes, the 3rd-century bishop of Byzantium [2].

His only known work, a History (Ἱστορία), is lost. It survives solely in a single fragment preserved by the 6th-century chronicler John Malalas, which concerns the mythological hero Perseus [3].

Metrophanes is significant as a name preserved within the fragmentary tradition of Greek historiography. His citation by Malalas indicates his work was among the sources used by later Byzantine compilers. The solitary mythological fragment suggests his history may have treated legendary or early historical periods, and he exemplifies the many lost historians whose works survive only in later citations [3].

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: "Ancient Rome - The Later Roman Empire": https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Rome/The-Later-Roman-Empire 2. Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (via Perseus): "Metrophanes": http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dmetrophanes-bio-1 3. ToposText: "Metrophanes (Historian)": https://topostext.org/people/1566