Who is the greatest military general in history?

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   Hxprofposted 13 years ago

   Who is the greatest military general in history?

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   maven101posted 13 years ago

   This should be a three-part question:
   
   Strategic.............Julius Caesar
   
   Tactical...............Irwin Rommel
   
   All-around...........Hannibal of Carthage

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      Hxprofposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Maven101, I agree that it's difficult to choose one commander who had it all.   I like that you broke the question down, and I like also that you choose Hannibal Barca as the best all-around.

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   Hmrjmr1posted 13 years ago

   I would place Alexander as the best sum of all the three mentioned above, and had better technology for logistics been available at the time, then the world would probably have had a single ruler for at least a generation.

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      Hxprofposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      There is no way to leave Alexander out of the running for history's greatest commander.   And yes, the known world could have been ruled by the ambitious Alexander for a season.

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   deepdiverposted 13 years ago

   Too wide ranging a question. My answer would be
   
   Napoleon- For strategy and vision
   Salahuddin Ayyubi of the Crusades- for chivalry and battlefield acumen
   Ervin Rommel- for surprise and tactical skill
   
   Lest we forget, Eugene of Savoy and Feldmarschall von Manstein for tenacity and bringing victory out of sure defeat

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   ThePeeDeeWildcatposted 13 years ago

   I have to agree with deepdiver that this question is too wide-ranging. I would, however, throw Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson into the mix. During his three years of leadership, he continually had his malnourished army on the move around Virginia. Jackson's troops, on several occasions, did snatch victory from the jaws of defeat when the Army of Northern Virginia was backed into a corner. Lee justifiably compared Jackson's death after Chancellorsville to losing his right arm.

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      Hxprofposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes Wildcat, it's a wide-ranging question.  That makes it a real challenge!  I agree that Stonewall Jackson was a great commander; however, I'd be more comfortable including him as a top candidate if he'd not departed before we'd seen more of him.

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      Alastar Packerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      If you'll pardon the rejoinder Hxprof; there can be little or no doubt had Stonewall been at Gettysburg he would have taken Culp's Hill on the first day. No need to elaborate on what that would have portended for world history.

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      Hxprofposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Alastar, historians are divided on what the CSA would have gained by victory at Gettysburg.  I do agree that Jackson would have taken Culps Hill, likely leading to Union defeat.  It would be great to see you do a hub on this subject.

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      Alastar Packerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Southern victory would in all likelihood have brought British and French recognition if not active intervention. Vicksburg would have mitigated the loss some but not enough as the power centers were back east. Thanks for the hub-sub thought, Hxprof.

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   ixwaposted 13 years ago

   This question will depend as to who one is asking and what they answer. I think that it was Shaka Zulu who combined the military skill of Julius Caesar and Napoleon, the organizing genius of Alexander the Great, the stern discipline of Lycurgus and the inflexibility of Bismarck and the destructive force of Attila. Another one is King Sen Wosret I (1971-1927 Before The Christian Era-BC) who was reaponsible for the rise of Ancient Kemet(Egypt) in the 12th Dynasty, to international power and influence. This sphere of power and influence  included not only the Red Sea,up to as far as Punt, it also included what today we call the Mediterranean, Libya, Palestine, Syria, Crete,  the Aegean Islands and  mainland Greece. The other greatest military general in history was Hannibal of Carthage, father of military strategy.

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   bill oneillposted 13 years ago

   The greatest general in history would be Julius Ceasar. His Commentaries are an excellent source of the study of military operational art. His planning for the conquest of Gaul and Britain is masterly.

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      Hxprofposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Gaul was the proving ground for the man with the greatest genius for war during his time, exceeding even that of Sulla, who was also an exceptional commander.  He's certainly a worthy candidate for the top spot.

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   devilmoviesposted 13 years ago

   beleive me or not.
   the greatest military general is the prophet of islam .muhammed.
   with some desert nomads people conqured all the arab peninsula and overcoem the persians and kicked out the roman from syria and egypt and islam reached even to spain and south of france.

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      Hxprofposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'll give Muhammed credit for inspiring the conquest of that vast area, but during his time it was primarily the Arabian Peninsula that came under the control of the tribes following him.  After his death, others carried out the greater conquests.

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   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   I think Belisarius, or possibly Maurice, was the greatest general in western history. The Byzantines, Greeks, and Saracens were the best military men until the Crusades ruined it all.
   
   Hannibal was a great tactician, but was strategically and logistically weak. He won a lot of battles, but winning battles is irrelevant if it does not add up to strategic success. Alexander simply used the army his daddy created and led it against a cumbersome enemy. Caesar and Napoleon are cases proving that exceptionally intelligent men can do anything well.
   
   The most brilliant American tactician and strategist was (naturally) passed over for general and retired as a Colonel: Douglass MacGregor.

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      Hxprofposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Old Empresario, I agree that Belisarius was a great commander.  IMO you're being a bit tough on Hannibal, but then again he did lose the war!

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    MUEposted 11 years ago

    Sun Tzu.  The Art of War is read by all miliary professionals including Powell, Schwarzkopf and most Marine Corps leaders.

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    Alexander Adwanposted 7 years ago

    Alexander was a great strategic why because every battle he had was a win plus he had less casuallities than the enemy like battle of gaugamela according to arrian alexander lost 300 infantry and 1000 cavalry and the enemy lost 300 thousand from a million while alexander had 47 thousand troops
    for short
    alexander 47 thousand troops vs 1 million - 56 thousand persian troops
    and alexander wins so much less casualties

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       Hxprofposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Alexander is near or at the very top of the list of best commanders, no doubt.

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    nnmsposted 6 years ago

    I would go with the following
    
    •    Hannibal- the father of military strategy
    •    Caesar - a military genius
    •    Subutai- primary military strategist of Genghis Khan who was imaginative and sophisticated strategies

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