History of the Peloponnesian War · Character

Pausanias

The Spartan regent who commanded the Greek victory at Plataea, then overreached into a treason trial that shadows Spartan politics.

supporting

Also known as King Pausanias, Pausanias the Lacedaemonian

First appearance: Book I

As a supporting figure in History of the Peloponnesian War, Pausanias is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as the Spartan regent who commanded the Greek forces at Plataea and later fell from favor.

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Pausanias is remembered as the general who led the allied Greeks against Persia at Plataea, the great land victory of the Persian Wars. But his later conduct as a semi-independent commander in the Aegean, and his suspected dealings with Persia and with Helot rebels, brought him under suspicion at home. His fate becomes a cautionary precedent for Sparta about generals who grow too powerful abroad.

See Pausanias in Book I Book page

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Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Pausanias sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Professional
Other

Character groups

Persian Wars Figures
Spartan and Athenian Leaders
Diverse Figures of the War

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it captures the Athenians' fateful psychological peak of hubris…

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Relationships

Archidamus
family · negative
Archidamus and Pausanias were both Spartan kings from the Agiad dynasty, with Pausanias… How this plays out →
Artabazus
professional · negative
Archidamus
family · negative
Archidamus and Pausanias were both Spartan kings from the Agiad dynasty, with Pausanias… How this plays out →

Archidamus
Archidamus and Pausanias were both Spartan kings from the Agiad dynasty, with Pausanias being the son of Archidamus's predecessor, though their relationship was marked by political tension.
Artabazus
Artabazus, a Persian satrap, collaborated with Pausanias, the Spartan regent, in a plot to betray Greece to Persia, but their alliance ended in mutual suspicion.
Archidamus
Archidamus and Pausanias were both Spartan kings from the Agiad dynasty, with Pausanias being the son of Archidamus's predecessor, though their relationship was marked by political tension.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Pausanias in Book I

In the story

Pausanias appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book I
Mentioned as the Spartan regent who commanded the Greek forces at Plataea and later fell from favor.
IV
Sent as Spartan commander-in-chief; his violent behavior alienated the allies and prompted them to turn to Athens.
Second Congress at Lacedaemon: Preparations for War and Diplomatic Skirmishes
Recalled from command, he later engaged in secret negotiations with the Persian king, aspiring to rule Hellas.

Chapter companion notes

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See Pausanias in Book I