Carausius vs Pausanias of Sparta

Emperor Maximian appointed Carausius to command the Roman fleet in the English Channel, tasked with suppressing Frankish and Saxon pirates. Carausius, a Menapian, used this position to build a loyal naval force.

Accused of embezzling recovered treasure and facing execution, Carausius declared himself emperor in Britain. He secured control of the island and parts of Gaul, establishing a breakaway regime that lasted seven years.

Carausius was murdered by his finance minister Allectus, who then seized power in Britain. The assassination ended Carausius's rule and destabilized the breakaway regime, leading to its collapse three years later.

Pausanias, as regent for the young king Pleistarchus, commanded the combined Greek forces against the Persian army under Mardonius. He won a decisive victory, destroying the Persian invasion force and ending the Greco-Persian Wars on the mainland.

Pausanias led a Greek fleet to capture Byzantium from the Persians. During the siege, his arrogant behavior and alleged negotiations with the Persian king led to accusations of medism (collaboration with Persia), causing his recall to Sparta.

Pausanias was recalled to Sparta and tried for medism. He was acquitted but his reputation was damaged. The allies, disgusted by his behavior, transferred leadership of the Hellenic League to Athens, leading to the formation of the Delian League.

Pausanias was suspected of plotting with the helots and the Persians. He took refuge in the temple of Athena of the Brazen House. The ephors walled him in, and he was starved to death, just before his mother was to bring him out.