Source edition
Cornelius Nepos. Cornelii Nepotis Vitae. Fleckeisen, Alfred; Halm, Karl, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1886.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This historical biography depicts the turbulent life of Pausanias, the Spartan general who achieved a glorious victory at the Battle of Plataea. The narrative begins with his great military achievements and the subsequent conflict with his homeland, caused by his pride and self-glorification. Pausanias secretly communicates with the Persian King Xerxes and exposes his inner ambition through his adoption of Persian luxury and arrogant behavior. Although the Spartan ephors suspect his treason, they proceed cautiously due to a lack of decisive evidence. Eventually, a young messenger betrays him, leading to a trap that exposes his conspiracy; cornered, Pausanias flees to a temple, where he met his tragic end by being sealed inside and starved to death.