People
Historical Figures and Influential People in History
Explore rulers, generals, thinkers, scientists and reformers who shaped world history. Search for a specific person, or browse by era, region, country and A–Z.
Historical Figures Beginning with P
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6 results
Paul the Apostle
5–67Classical WorldMiddle EastIsrael
He never met Jesus and spent years persecuting his followers — then had a conversion experience on a road to Damascus that changed the direction of world history.
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Paul von Hindenburg
1847–1934Industrial AgeEuropeGermany
He was a war hero and a president who despised Hitler, considered him a vulgar upstart — and then appointed him chancellor anyway, convinced he could control him.
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Plato
-427–-347Classical WorldOtherGreece
He recorded conversations with a man who wrote nothing, and in doing so created texts that shaped Western philosophy for two and a half thousand years.
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Pompey the Great
-106–-48Classical WorldEuropeItaly
He was the most celebrated Roman general of his age, until Caesar's victories in Gaul made his own look modest — a rivalry that helped end the republic.
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Pope Alexander VI
1431–1503Medieval PeriodEuropeSpain
He was a pope who fathered children, bribed his way to the papacy, and helped divide the entire western hemisphere between two countries — and the Church never fully disowned him.
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Prince Henry the Navigator
1394–1460Medieval PeriodEuropePortugal
He never navigated anywhere himself — but the expeditions he financed from his palace on the Portuguese coast opened the African coastline and began the age of exploration.
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