Pausanias the Spartan vs Sun Bin

Pausanias, as regent of Sparta, commanded the combined Greek forces at Plataea. He led the decisive victory over the Persian army under Mardonius, ending the second Persian invasion of Greece. The victory secured Greek independence.

Pausanias led a Greek fleet to capture Byzantium from the Persians. During this campaign, his arrogant behavior and alleged sympathy for Persian customs alienated the allies, leading to the transfer of leadership to Athens.

Pausanias was recalled to Sparta and tried for medism (collaboration with Persia). Although acquitted, his reputation was damaged. He returned to Byzantium without Spartan authorization, acting as a private individual.

Pausanias, suspected of plotting with the helots and Persians, took refuge in the Temple of Athena of the Brazen House in Sparta. The ephors walled him inside, and he was starved to death, ending his life in disgrace.

Sun Bin was framed for treason by his former classmate Pang Juan and sentenced to mutilation (removal of kneecaps) and facial tattooing. This disability forced him to hide and later flee to Qi, where he became a strategist.

Sun Bin, as strategist for the state of Qi, advised attacking Wei's capital while Wei's army was besieging Handan. The Qi army defeated Wei at Guiling, forcing Wei to withdraw. This victory established Sun Bin's reputation.

Sun Bin used a ruse of decreasing campfires to lure Wei general Pang Juan into an ambush at Maling. The Qi army annihilated the Wei forces. Pang Juan committed suicide. This battle crippled Wei's power.

Sun Bin wrote a military treatise titled 'Sun Bin's Art of War' (Sun Bin Bing Fa). The text was lost for over 2,000 years until its rediscovery in a Han dynasty tomb in 1972. It contains strategic and tactical principles.