
Phanos the Younger was a 1st century BC Greco-Egyptian actor and playwright from Alexandria. Phanos was known for his opposition to the Ptolemaic dynasty, criticizing Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII in one of his plays and taking part in the political revolution against Ptolemy in Alexandria from 48 to 47 BC.
Biography[]
Phanos was born in Alexandria, Ptolemaic Egypt to a Greek family, and he was the cousin of Aya. Phanos was known for his love of Homeric poetry and the Alexandrian Pleiad, and he was well-known in his home city. In 49 BC, he brought his cousin Aya to the Library of Alexandria to receive a classical education, and he also introduced his cousin to Apollodorus the Sicilian, a close adviser to Queen Cleopatra. A supporter of Cleopatra and an opponent of Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII, he composed a comedic play which took a jab at the Ptolemaic dynasty, leading to his script being confiscated and his actors being arrested and taken to the Akra Garrison. Phanos later helped Bayek to hunt down the last of Alexandria's phylakitai, who had interrupted the debut of Phanos' play, and he later co-founded the Hidden Ones to fight the influence of the Order of the Ancients and preserve the free will of the people.