Pausanias is a name borne by several notable figures in ancient Greek history, but the most commonly referred to in historical contexts are:
Pausanias the Regent was a Spartan military leader in the early 5th century BC, known for his role in the Battle of Plataea (479 BC), which was a decisive Greek victory over the Persians during the Greco-Persian Wars. He was the regent for his cousin, the young Pleistoanax, who was the Agiad king of Sparta. Pausanias's actions after the war, including adopting Persian dress and customs, led to suspicions of treason. He was eventually recalled to Sparta and died under mysterious circumstances, possibly by starvation or assassination.
Pausanias the Geographer lived in the 2nd century AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. He is best known for his work "Description of Greece" (Periegesis Hellados), an extensive travel guide or geographical survey of Ancient Greece. His work provides invaluable descriptions of ancient monuments, sites, and myths, which are crucial for understanding Greek history, archaeology, and culture. Pausanias was not merely a geographer but also an antiquarian and historian, offering insights into the religious practices, art, and architecture of his time.
The two Pausaniases, despite sharing a name, were from different periods and had distinct impacts on history: