**50 great military generals throughout history**,
Page Info
Writer AndyKim
Hit 1,545 Hit
Date 25-01-17 12:18
Content
**50 great military generals throughout history**, highlighting their significant achievements, key battles, and contributions to military strategy and history:
---
### **1-10: Legendary Generals**
1. **Alexander the Great (356–323 BC)**
- **Nationality:** Macedonian
- **Achievements:** Conquered the Persian Empire, expanded his territory to India, and established Hellenistic culture.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Issus, Battle of Gaugamela.
2. **Genghis Khan (1162–1227)**
- **Nationality:** Mongolian
- **Achievements:** Unified Mongol tribes and built the largest contiguous land empire.
- **Key Battles:** Siege of Zhongdu, Battle of Kalka River.
3. **Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821)**
- **Nationality:** French
- **Achievements:** Rose to power during the French Revolution, dominated Europe, and reformed military strategy.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Austerlitz, Battle of Borodino.
4. **Hannibal Barca (247–183 BC)**
- **Nationality:** Carthaginian
- **Achievements:** Led the Carthaginian army during the Second Punic War and inflicted devastating defeats on Rome.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Cannae, Crossing of the Alps.
5. **Julius Caesar (100–44 BC)**
- **Nationality:** Roman
- **Achievements:** Conquered Gaul, reformed the Roman Republic, and initiated a civil war.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Alesia, Battle of Pharsalus.
6. **Sun Tzu (544–496 BC)**
- **Nationality:** Chinese
- **Achievements:** Author of *The Art of War*, an influential text on military strategy.
- **Legacy:** Philosophy and strategies still applied in warfare, business, and leadership.
7. **Erwin Rommel (1891–1944)**
- **Nationality:** German
- **Achievements:** Known as the "Desert Fox," led successful campaigns in North Africa during WWII.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Gazala, Siege of Tobruk.
8. **George S. Patton (1885–1945)**
- **Nationality:** American
- **Achievements:** Played a key role in liberating Europe during WWII with his aggressive and effective strategies.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of the Bulge, Sicily Campaign.
9. **Saladin (1137–1193)**
- **Nationality:** Kurdish
- **Achievements:** Unified Muslim forces and recaptured Jerusalem during the Crusades.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Hattin, Siege of Jerusalem.
10. **Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964)**
- **Nationality:** American
- **Achievements:** Led Allied forces in the Pacific during WWII and oversaw post-war reconstruction in Japan.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Leyte Gulf, Inchon Landing.
---
### **11-20: Masters of Strategy**
11. **Robert E. Lee (1807–1870)**
- Commanded the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, known for his tactical brilliance.
12. **Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885)**
- Union general during the Civil War, led decisive victories and later became U.S. President.
13. **Frederick the Great (1712–1786)**
- Transformed Prussia into a European power through military victories and reforms.
14. **Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769–1852)**
- Defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and served as British Prime Minister.
15. **Georgy Zhukov (1896–1974)**
- Soviet general who played a crucial role in defeating Nazi Germany during WWII.
16. **Cyrus the Great (600–530 BC)**
- Founder of the Achaemenid Empire, renowned for his military and administrative skills.
17. **William the Conqueror (1028–1087)**
- Conquered England in 1066 and established Norman rule.
18. **Alfred the Great (849–899)**
- Defended England against Viking invasions and laid the foundation for English unification.
19. **Gustavus Adolphus (1594–1632)**
- Swedish king known as the "Father of Modern Warfare."
20. **Philip II of Macedon (382–336 BC)**
- Father of Alexander the Great, transformed Macedonia into a military powerhouse.
---
### **21-30: Innovators and Trailblazers**
21. **Timur (Tamerlane) (1336–1405)**
- Central Asian conqueror who established the Timurid Empire.
22. **Subutai (1175–1248)**
- Mongol general and Genghis Khan’s trusted strategist.
23. **Hernán Cortés (1485–1547)**
- Conquered the Aztec Empire for Spain.
24. **Francisco Pizarro (1478–1541)**
- Conquered the Inca Empire for Spain.
25. **Belisarius (500–565)**
- Byzantine general who reconquered parts of the Western Roman Empire.
26. **Flavius Aetius (391–454)**
- Roman general who defeated Attila the Hun at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
27. **Joan of Arc (1412–1431)**
- French heroine who led armies during the Hundred Years' War.
28. **Horatio Nelson (1758–1805)**
- British admiral known for his naval victories against Napoleonic France.
29. **Yi Sun-sin (1545–1598)**
- Korean admiral who defeated Japanese fleets with innovative naval tactics.
30. **King Leonidas I (540–480 BC)**
- Spartan king known for his leadership at the Battle of Thermopylae.
---
### **31-40: Revolutionary Leaders**
31. **Hannibal Barca (247–183 BC)**
- Renowned for his strategies against Rome.
32. **Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680)**
- Founder of the Maratha Empire in India.
33. **Mehmed II (1432–1481)**
- Ottoman Sultan who conquered Constantinople in 1453.
34. **Charlemagne (742–814)**
- United much of Western Europe and was crowned Emperor of the Romans.
35. **Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616)**
- Unified Japan and established the Tokugawa shogunate.
36. **Maurice of Nassau (1567–1625)**
- Innovated military tactics during the Dutch Revolt.
37. **Zhuge Liang (181–234)**
- Renowned Chinese strategist during the Three Kingdoms period.
38. **Scipio Africanus (236–183 BC)**
- Defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama.
39. **Baji Rao I (1700–1740)**
- Indian Peshwa who expanded the Maratha Empire.
40. **Khalid ibn al-Walid (592–642)**
- Key general in the early Islamic conquests.
---
### **41-50: Tactical Geniuses**
41. **Ataturk (Mustafa Kemal) (1881–1938)**
- Founder of modern Turkey, led victory in the War of Independence.
42. **Romulus Augustus (5th Century AD)**
- Presided over the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
43. **Pyrrhus of Epirus (319–272 BC)**
- Known for his costly victories, leading to the term "Pyrrhic victory."
44. **Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831)**
- Military theorist known for *On War*.
45. **Haider Ali (1721–1782)**
- Sultan of Mysore, fought against British colonial forces.
46. **Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582)**
- Japanese daimyo who initiated the unification of Japan.
47. **Mikhail Kutuzov (1745–1813)**
- Russian general who defeated Napoleon in the Russian campaign.
48. **Richard the Lionheart (1157–1199)**
- English king known for his role in the Crusades.
49. **Togo Heihachiro (1848–1934)**
- Japanese admiral who led the navy to victory in the Russo-Japanese War.
50. **Horemheb (1319–1292 BC)**
- Egyptian general who restored order after the Amarna Period.
---
### **Conclusion**
These generals shaped the course of history through their leadership, strategies, and battlefield accomplishments. Each left an enduring legacy in military history, influencing tactics and governance for generations.
---
### **1-10: Legendary Generals**
1. **Alexander the Great (356–323 BC)**
- **Nationality:** Macedonian
- **Achievements:** Conquered the Persian Empire, expanded his territory to India, and established Hellenistic culture.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Issus, Battle of Gaugamela.
2. **Genghis Khan (1162–1227)**
- **Nationality:** Mongolian
- **Achievements:** Unified Mongol tribes and built the largest contiguous land empire.
- **Key Battles:** Siege of Zhongdu, Battle of Kalka River.
3. **Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821)**
- **Nationality:** French
- **Achievements:** Rose to power during the French Revolution, dominated Europe, and reformed military strategy.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Austerlitz, Battle of Borodino.
4. **Hannibal Barca (247–183 BC)**
- **Nationality:** Carthaginian
- **Achievements:** Led the Carthaginian army during the Second Punic War and inflicted devastating defeats on Rome.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Cannae, Crossing of the Alps.
5. **Julius Caesar (100–44 BC)**
- **Nationality:** Roman
- **Achievements:** Conquered Gaul, reformed the Roman Republic, and initiated a civil war.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Alesia, Battle of Pharsalus.
6. **Sun Tzu (544–496 BC)**
- **Nationality:** Chinese
- **Achievements:** Author of *The Art of War*, an influential text on military strategy.
- **Legacy:** Philosophy and strategies still applied in warfare, business, and leadership.
7. **Erwin Rommel (1891–1944)**
- **Nationality:** German
- **Achievements:** Known as the "Desert Fox," led successful campaigns in North Africa during WWII.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Gazala, Siege of Tobruk.
8. **George S. Patton (1885–1945)**
- **Nationality:** American
- **Achievements:** Played a key role in liberating Europe during WWII with his aggressive and effective strategies.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of the Bulge, Sicily Campaign.
9. **Saladin (1137–1193)**
- **Nationality:** Kurdish
- **Achievements:** Unified Muslim forces and recaptured Jerusalem during the Crusades.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Hattin, Siege of Jerusalem.
10. **Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964)**
- **Nationality:** American
- **Achievements:** Led Allied forces in the Pacific during WWII and oversaw post-war reconstruction in Japan.
- **Key Battles:** Battle of Leyte Gulf, Inchon Landing.
---
### **11-20: Masters of Strategy**
11. **Robert E. Lee (1807–1870)**
- Commanded the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, known for his tactical brilliance.
12. **Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885)**
- Union general during the Civil War, led decisive victories and later became U.S. President.
13. **Frederick the Great (1712–1786)**
- Transformed Prussia into a European power through military victories and reforms.
14. **Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769–1852)**
- Defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and served as British Prime Minister.
15. **Georgy Zhukov (1896–1974)**
- Soviet general who played a crucial role in defeating Nazi Germany during WWII.
16. **Cyrus the Great (600–530 BC)**
- Founder of the Achaemenid Empire, renowned for his military and administrative skills.
17. **William the Conqueror (1028–1087)**
- Conquered England in 1066 and established Norman rule.
18. **Alfred the Great (849–899)**
- Defended England against Viking invasions and laid the foundation for English unification.
19. **Gustavus Adolphus (1594–1632)**
- Swedish king known as the "Father of Modern Warfare."
20. **Philip II of Macedon (382–336 BC)**
- Father of Alexander the Great, transformed Macedonia into a military powerhouse.
---
### **21-30: Innovators and Trailblazers**
21. **Timur (Tamerlane) (1336–1405)**
- Central Asian conqueror who established the Timurid Empire.
22. **Subutai (1175–1248)**
- Mongol general and Genghis Khan’s trusted strategist.
23. **Hernán Cortés (1485–1547)**
- Conquered the Aztec Empire for Spain.
24. **Francisco Pizarro (1478–1541)**
- Conquered the Inca Empire for Spain.
25. **Belisarius (500–565)**
- Byzantine general who reconquered parts of the Western Roman Empire.
26. **Flavius Aetius (391–454)**
- Roman general who defeated Attila the Hun at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
27. **Joan of Arc (1412–1431)**
- French heroine who led armies during the Hundred Years' War.
28. **Horatio Nelson (1758–1805)**
- British admiral known for his naval victories against Napoleonic France.
29. **Yi Sun-sin (1545–1598)**
- Korean admiral who defeated Japanese fleets with innovative naval tactics.
30. **King Leonidas I (540–480 BC)**
- Spartan king known for his leadership at the Battle of Thermopylae.
---
### **31-40: Revolutionary Leaders**
31. **Hannibal Barca (247–183 BC)**
- Renowned for his strategies against Rome.
32. **Shivaji Maharaj (1630–1680)**
- Founder of the Maratha Empire in India.
33. **Mehmed II (1432–1481)**
- Ottoman Sultan who conquered Constantinople in 1453.
34. **Charlemagne (742–814)**
- United much of Western Europe and was crowned Emperor of the Romans.
35. **Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616)**
- Unified Japan and established the Tokugawa shogunate.
36. **Maurice of Nassau (1567–1625)**
- Innovated military tactics during the Dutch Revolt.
37. **Zhuge Liang (181–234)**
- Renowned Chinese strategist during the Three Kingdoms period.
38. **Scipio Africanus (236–183 BC)**
- Defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama.
39. **Baji Rao I (1700–1740)**
- Indian Peshwa who expanded the Maratha Empire.
40. **Khalid ibn al-Walid (592–642)**
- Key general in the early Islamic conquests.
---
### **41-50: Tactical Geniuses**
41. **Ataturk (Mustafa Kemal) (1881–1938)**
- Founder of modern Turkey, led victory in the War of Independence.
42. **Romulus Augustus (5th Century AD)**
- Presided over the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
43. **Pyrrhus of Epirus (319–272 BC)**
- Known for his costly victories, leading to the term "Pyrrhic victory."
44. **Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831)**
- Military theorist known for *On War*.
45. **Haider Ali (1721–1782)**
- Sultan of Mysore, fought against British colonial forces.
46. **Oda Nobunaga (1534–1582)**
- Japanese daimyo who initiated the unification of Japan.
47. **Mikhail Kutuzov (1745–1813)**
- Russian general who defeated Napoleon in the Russian campaign.
48. **Richard the Lionheart (1157–1199)**
- English king known for his role in the Crusades.
49. **Togo Heihachiro (1848–1934)**
- Japanese admiral who led the navy to victory in the Russo-Japanese War.
50. **Horemheb (1319–1292 BC)**
- Egyptian general who restored order after the Amarna Period.
---
### **Conclusion**
These generals shaped the course of history through their leadership, strategies, and battlefield accomplishments. Each left an enduring legacy in military history, influencing tactics and governance for generations.