Apollinarius (governor)

Apollinarius was a Byzantine governor of the Balearic Islands, appointed in 534. The main source about him is Procopius.

Apollinarius was a native of the Italian Peninsula, but apparently settled in the Vandal Kingdom of North Africa while still underage. He grew up to serve King Hilderic (r. 523-530) and was reportedly rewarded "with great sums of money". When Hilderic was ovethrown by Gelimer (r. 530-534), Apollinarius escaped to Constantinople. He and other political exiles asked Justinian I (r. 527-565) to intervene. Justinian soon started the Vandalic War.

Apollinarius served under Belisarius in the War and "proved himself a brave man". He took part in the Battle of Tricamarum (15 December, 533) and his contact earned him the favour of Belisarius. In 534, Apollinarius was rewarded with appointment as governor over the islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Minorca. His authority possibly extended over the rest of the Balearic Islands, but they are not named in primary sources. His subsequent activities are unknown.