Origins & Early Life

Pausanias of Orestis (Ancient Greek: Παυσανίας ἐκ τῆς Ὀρεστίδος) was a member of Philip II of Macedon's personal bodyguard (somatophylakes). He assassinated Philip in 336 BC. Pausanias was killed while fleeing the assassination. "About this time it was that Philip, king of Macedon, was treacherously assaulted and slain at Aegae by Pausanias, the son of Cerastes, who was derived from the family of Orestae".

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The first historical record of the assassination comes from Aristotle, a contemporary of Philip's. He only gives a brief mention of the events, not delving into details about which specific affront Pausanias was exacting revenge for. Fifty years later, Cleitarchus expanded and embellished the story and centuries later Diodorus Siculus would in turn reiterate this account in his Bibliotheca Historica. According to Diodorus, Pausanias of Orestis, a former lover of Philip's, was angered when the king turned his attention to a younger man, confusingly also named Pausanias. Feeling spurned he publicly insulted his romantic rival, prompting the latter Pausanias to prove his honor by risking his life in battle to protect the king and ultimately...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Attalus (general) — Contemporary (Born in -400) (-400): Key Macedonian general and courtier serving Philip II of Macedon.
• Bessus — Contemporary (Born in -400) (-400): Achaemenid satrap and self-proclaimed King of Kings who resisted Alexander the Great.
• Diogenes — Contemporary (Born in -400) (-400): Founder of Cynicism, Diogenes advocated a radical return to nature and self-sufficiency.
• Demetrius I Poliorcetes — Contemporary (Born in -336) (-336): Macedonian nobleman and military leader, famed for besieging cities and ruling Macedon.
• Eurydice II of Macedon — Contemporary (Born in -336) (-336): Macedonian queen consort, wife of Philip III, and daughter of Amyntas IV.
• Philip II of Macedon — Contemporary (Died in -336) (-336): King of Macedon who reformed its army and dominated Ancient Greece.
• Hanno the Navigator — Contemporary figure (Died in -401) (-401): Punic explorer renowned for his 5th-century BC voyage down the coast of West Africa.
• Jīvaka — Contemporary figure (Born in -401) (-401): Renowned physician to the Buddha and King Bimbisāra, celebrated as a model healer.
• Amyrtaeus — Contemporary figure (Died in -399) (-399): Pharaoh of the Twenty-eighth Dynasty, ending the first Persian occupation of Egypt.
• Alcibiades — Contemporary figure (Died in -404) (-404): Prominent but controversial Athenian statesman and general during the Peloponnesian War.
• -400 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -400
• -336 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -336