A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

9. A rhetorician of Samos, or, according to others, of Chios, who was the preceptor of the infant king of Egypt, Ptolemy XII. He appears to have exercised much political influence, and when after the battle of Pharsalia (B. C. 48), Pompey sought refuge in Egypt, it was Theodotus who was the first to suggest that the illustrious fugitive should be put to death. By this base advice he hoped to gain the favour of Caesar, and when the conqueror arrived in Egypt, hastened to meet him, bearing the head and signet ring of his rival. But Caesar turned from him with disgust, and would have put him to death, had he not succeeded in making his escape. At a subsequent period he was less fortunate tunate, being apprehended and executed in Asia, by order of M. Brutus in B. C. 43. (Liv. Epit. cxiii.; Plut. Pomp. 77, 80 ; Appian. B. C. 2.84, 90).

[E.H.B]