Timagenes of Alexandria (Τιμαγένης ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεύς) was a Greek historian of the 1st century BCE. Captured by the Romans and brought to Rome as a slave, he was later freed and became a teacher of rhetoric and a writer in the circle of Gaius Asinius Pollio [1]. Though initially a friend, he was permanently estranged from Augustus after making critical remarks about the imperial family, after which he lived with Pollio until his death [1][2].

His major work was a universal history titled On Kings (Περὶ Βασιλέων), which is now lost and survives only in fragments [1][2].

Timagenes provides a significant Greek intellectual perspective on Rome from one who experienced capture and enslavement. His work was used as a source by later historians like Pompeius Trogus and Josephus [1][2]. His relationship with Augustus exemplifies the complex dynamics between Roman power and Greek cultural figures, and his fragments suggest he offered critical viewpoints on Roman history.

Sources 1. Encyclopædia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Timagenes-of-Alexandria 2. Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (via Perseus): https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0104%3Aentry%3Dtimagenes-bio-1