Pausanias facts for kids

Pausanias (pronounced Paw-SAIN-ee-as) was a popular name in ancient Greece. Many important people in history were called Pausanias. This name belonged to famous generals, kings, doctors, and writers.

Who Was Pausanias?

The name Pausanias was common in ancient Greece. It means "one who brings an end to sorrow" or "one who gives rest." People with this name lived in different parts of the Greek world, including Sparta, Macedon, and Athens. They played various roles in society, from leading armies to writing books.

Famous People Named Pausanias

Several individuals named Pausanias made their mark on history. Here are some of the most well-known:

Pausanias the Spartan General

One of the most famous was Pausanias the Regent. He was a Spartan general who lived in the 5th century BC. A regent is someone who rules a country when the king is too young or unable to rule. Pausanias led the Greek forces to victory against the Persian Empire in the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. This was a very important battle that helped secure Greece's freedom from Persian rule.

Pausanias, King of Sparta

Another important figure was Pausanias, King of Sparta. He ruled Sparta from 408 to 395 BC. During his time, Sparta was a very powerful city-state in Greece. Kings in Sparta often shared power with other leaders and councils.

Pausanias the Geographer

Perhaps the Pausanias we know most about today is Pausanias the Geographer. He lived much later, in the 2nd century AD. He was a Greek traveler, geographer, and writer. His most famous work is a book called Description of Greece. In this book, he described the places he visited, including ancient ruins, temples, and artworks. His writings are very valuable because they tell us a lot about what ancient Greece looked like and how people lived. Historians still use his book to learn about the past.

Pausanias of Orestis

There was also Pausanias of Orestis, who was a bodyguard. He is known for a very important event in history: he assassinated King Philip II of Macedon in 336 BC. Philip II was the father of Alexander the Great. This event changed the course of history, as it led to Alexander becoming king.

Other Notable Pausanias

• Pausanias of Sicily was a doctor in the 5th century BC. He was a friend of the famous Greek philosopher Empedocles.
• Pausanias of Macedon was a king of Macedon who ruled briefly from 399 to 393 BC.
• Pafsanias Katsotas was a Greek general and later the mayor of Athens in the 20th century (1896-1991).

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