Khans effect on Western Civilization, and thus the modern world, isn't all that great though.

(06-04-2014 08:28 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  

(06-04-2014 07:41 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I considered Alexander when first posting. But Genghis Kahn's legacy was far greater IMO. He altered the course of history in ways we really can't comprehend today, and his genetic legacy is merely one aspect of that legacy. Alexander was a piker by comparison.

I'm not disputing the points made for Genghis Kahn as being the greatest (arguably) general but I don't agree that the gap between him and Alexander the Great is as wide as you suggest. I think you are underestimating the cultural influence of Alexander's conquests as well. One of the many ancient cities he founded was Alexandria in 300 BC that became one of the greatest/most influential Mediterranean cities in terms of trade and culture.

In that sense, you'd have to put Constantine on the list as well.

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(06-04-2014 08:24 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  Hannibal is a great pick. Crossed the Alps with an army of elephants. Nuts. Other ones: Attila, Alaric, Alexander, Marius

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Which is why he's my favorite. Burning down Italy after crossing the Alps on elephants is wild. He terrorized the boot for quite a few years. Only problem was that he never finished and Carthage ended up burnt to the ground and just left in the history books.

The Tunisians still consider him a national hero. The only problem is nobody even has a clue what he looked like. Hannibal that is.

(06-04-2014 09:12 PM)HeartOfDixie Wrote:  The Tunisians still consider him a national hero. The only problem is nobody even has a clue what he looked like. Hannibal that is.

He was probably a Greek descendent influenced from the Alexandrian era.

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I bet he probably looked a lot like a modern Tunisian. The Carthaginians were descendent of the Phoenicians not the Greeks, the Phoenicians being kind of like Lebanese or Palestinians today in terms of looks.

Yea, Carthage was a Phoenician Colony. Perhaps there was some Greek influence due to trade between the groups of Phoenician and Greek Colonies across the Med.

I'd have to go with Alexander. Let's face it... if his army weren't missing their family, they would NOT have stopped in India. I don't think there's anyone at the time (and there were many formidable armies) that could have fought Alexander and kept him from getting to the Pacific Ocean.

For a boy to came to power at the age of 20.. and died at the age of 32. I can't think of a general that accomplished as much as he did in so few years.

(06-04-2014 05:26 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  Sun Tzu.

This, followed by Lee.

Grievous

I'm surprised nobody picked Leonidas of Sparta. His small army held the pass of Thermopylae against a Persian Army that greatly outnumbered them.

I guess because some thought that had the air of a one hit wonder about him.

(06-05-2014 12:02 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I'm surprised nobody picked Leonidas of Sparta. His small army held the pass of Thermopylae against a Persian Army that greatly outnumbered them.

I see him like Achilles. The story is likely a great exaggeration. I believe they defeated a larger army at the pass, but I doubt it was that lopsided and no way it was 300. They were all fighting with spears and shields and there was no technological advantage for the Spartans.

(06-05-2014 12:10 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 12:02 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I'm surprised nobody picked Leonidas of Sparta. His small army held the pass of Thermopylae against a Persian Army that greatly outnumbered them.

I see him like Achilles. The story is likely a great exaggeration. I believe they defeated a larger army at the pass, but I doubt it was that lopsided and no way it was 300. They were all fighting with spears and shields and there was no technological advantage for the Spartans.

The number of Spartans fighting was 300. There were fighters from other Greek cities as well. The total number of the Greek Army was initially around 7000, although Leonidas dismissed most of them when it was clear that they were being outflanked by the Persians. About 1000 men remained in the pass to hold the Persian Army led by Xerxes, which numbered between 100,000-150,000 men.

There were also survivors among the Greeks, most among those dismissed by Leonidas. But all 300 Spartans that fought died at Thermopylae. Most people ignore the contributions of the other Greek city states when discussing this battle, mainly because of the central role played by the Trojans, and their dedication in fighting and dying to the last man.

(06-05-2014 12:39 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 12:10 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 12:02 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I'm surprised nobody picked Leonidas of Sparta. His small army held the pass of Thermopylae against a Persian Army that greatly outnumbered them.

I see him like Achilles. The story is likely a great exaggeration. I believe they defeated a larger army at the pass, but I doubt it was that lopsided and no way it was 300. They were all fighting with spears and shields and there was no technological advantage for the Spartans.

The number of Spartans fighting was 300. There were fighters from other Greek cities as well. The total number of the Greek Army was initially around 7000, although Leonidas dismissed most of them when it was clear that they were being outflanked by the Persians. About 1000 men remained in the pass to hold the Persian Army led by Xerxes, which numbered between 100,000-150,000 men.

There were also survivors among the Greeks, most among those dismissed by Leonidas. But all 300 Spartans that fought died at Thermopylae. Most people ignore the contributions of the other Greek city states when discussing this battle, mainly because of the central role played by the Trojans, and their dedication in fighting and dying to the last man.

The gates of Hell is an awesome book for anyone wanting to read about the battle of Thermopylae. It is said to be written from the eyes of a survivor but its claims have been questioned. regardless it is a really good book and in my opinion one of the authorities on the battle.

(06-05-2014 01:27 PM)DragonLair Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 12:39 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 12:10 PM)EverRespect Wrote:  

(06-05-2014 12:02 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  I'm surprised nobody picked Leonidas of Sparta. His small army held the pass of Thermopylae against a Persian Army that greatly outnumbered them.

I see him like Achilles. The story is likely a great exaggeration. I believe they defeated a larger army at the pass, but I doubt it was that lopsided and no way it was 300. They were all fighting with spears and shields and there was no technological advantage for the Spartans.

The number of Spartans fighting was 300. There were fighters from other Greek cities as well. The total number of the Greek Army was initially around 7000, although Leonidas dismissed most of them when it was clear that they were being outflanked by the Persians. About 1000 men remained in the pass to hold the Persian Army led by Xerxes, which numbered between 100,000-150,000 men.

There were also survivors among the Greeks, most among those dismissed by Leonidas. But all 300 Spartans that fought died at Thermopylae. Most people ignore the contributions of the other Greek city states when discussing this battle, mainly because of the central role played by the Trojans, and their dedication in fighting and dying to the last man.

The gates of Hell is an awesome book for anyone wanting to read about the battle of Thermopylae. It is said to be written from the eyes of a survivor but its claims have been questioned. regardless it is a really good book and in my opinion one of the authorities on the battle.

I actually own that book, but haven't gotten to it yet.

I'm more partial to Sherman.

Charles Martel, the last respectable Frenchman.

(06-04-2014 05:06 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(06-04-2014 05:02 PM)NIU007 Wrote:  Rommel.

despite fighting for the biggest prick in world history, he did go out as a man and with honor.

He did a lot with not that much. To the point where the Brits had mucho respect for him, well before the US showed up in Africa. Partly I'm sure because he was known to treat prisoners well. There was apparently still some chivalry in that theatre.

(06-05-2014 01:38 PM)ARandomHerdFan Wrote:  I'm more partial to Sherman.

Them's fighting words!! lol

But yeah, he was good at what he did.