A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Παυσίστρατος), a Rhodian, who was appointed to command the forces of that republic in B. C. 197; he landed in the district of Asia Minor called Peraea with a considerable army, defeated the Macedonian general Deinocrates, and reduced the whole of Peraea, but filled in taking Stratoniceia. (Liv. 33.18). During the war with Antiochus he was appointed to command the Rhodian fleet (B. C. 191), but joined the Romans too late to take part in the victory over Polyxenidas. (Id. 36.45.) The following spring (B. C. 190) he put to sea early with a fleet of thirty-six ships, but suffered himself to be deceived by Polyxenidas, who pretended to enter into negotiations with him, and having thus lulled him into security suddenly attacked and totally defeated him. Almost all his ships were taken or sunk, and Pausistratus himself slain while vainly attempting to force his way through the enemy's fleet. (Liv. 37.9, 10_11; Appian. Syr. 23,24; Plb. 21.5; Polyaen. 5.27.) Appian calls him Pausimachus.

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