# Pausanias

> 5th century BC Agiad King of Sparta

**Wikidata**: [Q433408](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q433408)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pausanias_(king_of_Sparta))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pausanias-q433408

## Summary
Pausanias was a 5th-century BC Agiad King of Sparta, ruling as a sovereign of the ancient Greek city-state. His primary role was governing Sparta as part of the Agiad dynasty, with his reign ending in 385 BC. He is recognized for his position within the lineage of Spartan kings, contributing to the political structure of the era.

## Biography
- **Born**: Date unknown  
- **Nationality**: Sparta (ancient city-state in Greece)  
- **Known for**: Ruling as an Agiad King of Sparta in the 5th century BC  
- **Employer(s)**: The city-state of Sparta  
- **Field(s)**: Governance/Royalty  

## Contributions
Pausanias’ reign formed part of the Agiad dynasty’s continuity, maintaining Spartan governance during the 5th century BC. His role as king supported the political and military structure of Sparta, though specific policies or events from his rule are not detailed in the provided source material. His identification in historical records (e.g., VIAF ID 102401969, GND ID 1028092) ensures his recognition as a distinct figure in Spartan history.

## FAQs
- **Q: When did Pausanias rule Sparta?**  
  A: Pausanias reigned as an Agiad King in the 5th century BC, with his death occurring in 385 BC.  

- **Q: What dynasty was Pausanias part of?**  
  A: He belonged to the Agiad dynasty, one of Sparta’s two royal houses.  

- **Q: How is Pausanias documented historically?**  
  A: He is cataloged in international authority files (e.g., VIAF, GND) and referenced by his Greek name, Παυσανίας Α΄ ο Λακεδαιμόνιος.  

## Why They Matter
Pausanias’ significance lies in his role as a sovereign within the Agiad dynasty, which shaped Spartan governance and military traditions. His reign, though not elaborately documented, contributed to the stability of Sparta during a period of ancient Greek political evolution. Without figures like Pausanias, the historical continuity of Spartan leadership and its impact on Greek city-state dynamics would be less understood.

## Notable For
- Ruling as an Agiad King of Sparta in the 5th century BC.  
- Dying in 385 BC, marking the end of his reign.  
- Being identified by authoritative international catalogs (VIAF, GND, etc.).  
- Holding the Greek name Παυσανίας Α΄ ο Λακεδαιμόνιος for disambiguation.  

## Body
### Reign and Dynasty
Pausanias belonged to the **Agiad dynasty**, one of Sparta’s two principal royal houses. As king, he upheld the hereditary governance structure central to Spartan society. His reign in the 5th century BC positioned him within a lineage that influenced Spartan military and political affairs, though specific achievements or challenges from his rule are not specified in the source material.

### Historical Context
Sparta, with its inception circa 900 BC, was a dominant military power in ancient Greece. Pausanias’ role as king aligned with the city-state’s emphasis on rigid social hierarchy and militaristic discipline. His death in **385 BC** contextualizes his reign within a period of broader Greek political fragmentation and conflict.

### Legacy and Identification
Pausanias is documented through multiple identifiers, including:  
- **VIAF ID**: 102401969  
- **GND ID**: 1028092  
- **Wikidata Title**: Pausanias (king of Sparta)  
- **Greek Name**: Παυσανίας Α΄ ο Λακεδαιμόνιος  

These designations ensure his distinct recognition in historical and academic databases, differentiating him from other figures named Pausanias. His presence in 34 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects further underscores his documented, albeit concise, place in ancient Greek history.

### Genealogical and Cultural Impact
As part of the Agiad lineage, Pausanias’ kingship reinforced the dynastic continuity critical to Spartan political stability. While the source material does not attribute specific laws, battles, or reforms to him, his role as monarch inherently tied him to the city-state’s domestic and foreign policies. This structural governance contributed to Sparta’s enduring influence in ancient Greece, even as individual monarchs like Pausanias remained less prominently chronicled than figures from contemporaneous Athenian history.

## References

1. Source
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. CERL Thesaurus
4. Description of Greece