Theophilus
a legendary coadjutor-bishop at Adana in Cilicia, who, when deposed from his office through slanders, gave his soul in bond to the devil, and consequently was reinstated the next morning. But he was soon overtaken with remorse, and through 40 days' fasting and prayers prevailed on the Virgin to make intercession for him. She tore the bond from the devil, and laid it upon the breast of the repentant sinner as he lay asleep in the church. Theophilus then made a public confession of his crime and of the mercy of the Virgin, and died three days after. This forerunner of the Faust legend must have reached the West during the 10th century. defended himself, and generously interposed to save his adversary from the popular vengeance. He was, however, compelled to leave Athens in 305 B. C., under the law which banished all philosophers. The law was soon repealed and he returned to his post and peacefully taught and commented on the system of his master, Aristotle, till his death. His writings were very numerous, but have perished with the following exceptions:
His work entitled "Characters," a set of his lively sketches of vicious and ridiculous characters; treatises on the "History of Plants," on the "Causes of Plants," and on "Stones"; a work on the "Senses," and several fragments. The "Characters" served as the model for La Bruyère's work with the same title; it has been several times translated into English, French, and German.