Greatest comanders of the ancient and medieval world

[yllbardh]

Since there's only two options I would go with Genghis Khan only 'cause he didn't know how to stop, he was always on the move facing new enemy.

Otherwise the greatest commander imo is Scanderbeg, with so little resources to achieve so much in a long time against one of the superpowers of that time, who is the one and only who had done that.

 

[matmohair1]

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_Great

Spoiler

 

[nikosierra125]

I like how each statue differed slightly to fit local customs.

 

[Carlos Danger]

It was so horrible, I'd rather watch Horrible Histories or stuff like this every time.

You just listed two of the best shows of all time

 

[Antonis]

I actually like Horrible Histories books. It's children comedy literature, so don't expect to earn a PhD in History. But it helped me develop an interest for the various subjects(and gore).

 

[Kentucky 『 ＨＥＩＧＵＩ 』 James]

Same here. The guy touts a lot of myths and hardly does any proper research, but it was a nice little introduction to bits of history that nobody outside specialists in university ever learnt about.

 

[Antonis]

Exactly. I mean, it is understandable that lots of myths and other stuff are present in the books. I read those when I was 8-12 years old and they are essentially kids' books. If you said to my kid self what I prefer, "The Effect of turbecolusis and other diseases on the Middle Ages" or "Gory Romans" as a subject, I know what I would answer. But it got me search the subjects I liked from there and I learned a lot that I would not learn or even care to search otherwise.

 

[LionStrong]

I must say, If it wasn't without the Horrible Histories books I would probably never of got into History when I was younger.

Anyway, regarding the original discussion, I think that Genghis Khan would win simply because of his army but that Alex had a far better tactical mind and may somehow have outsmarted Genghis. Just my opinion

 

[Kharille]

Maybe if Alexander had iron weapons and a more mobile force.  As they stand, I don't see how phalanxes can do much against cavalry several centuries past their age.

 

[LionStrong]

The difference in technology between the two is sort of a moot point when discussing steppe nomads, because their arms and armour hardly changed (recurve bows, ponies, lamellar armour), and would certainly have been acquirable for nomads in Alexander's day (at least those living in transition zones between steppe and sown).

although you are right Alex would be better off with a more mobile force

 

[NikeBG]

I thought the topic was about comparing commanders, not their armies. Although most of the posts certainly seem to go the way of the latter...

 

[Antonis]

But if we compared just the commanders, we should only talk about their personal abilities etc. But to fully compare two commanders(and the difference between Army commanders and strategists is just that), should't we look on how did they manage their army(logistics, tactics, all aspects in general)?

Because, sure, if you look to it just that way, you're right, but an army commander should be judged, apart from his personal traits and abilities, by, well...his army.

 

[Kharille]

Hm, in that case, I don't think I've heard much about Alexanders personality.  I know Genghis really ran a meritocracy.  Alex couldn't hold anything together after he died.  If its about the Commanders, I'd say Genghis all the way.

 

[nikosierra125]

The mongol empire fractured too, anyways, Alexander seems to have been affected by all his glory, in the beginning it seems like he knew his limits, but could see a wild opportunity, and was brave enough to seize it, but I don't think he went into a fight without knowing he could win, in later years I get the impression he saw himself as almost a demigod, and became detached from his army, lost any sense of how the morale was and that led to trouble, especially since he was also the sole head of the army, and all success and glory passed from him to his army.

as was said above the Mongols had a meritocracy and as such they had many very competent commanders, wh seemed to be much more loyal and to have more initiative, making Genghis's job a lot easier.

 

[DanAngleland]

Hm, in that case, I don't think I've heard much about Alexanders personality.  I know Genghis really ran a meritocracy.  Alex couldn't hold anything together after he died.  If its about the Commanders, I'd say Genghis all the way.

Being dead tends to drastically reduce one's abilities.

 

[rapier17]

It is quite the handicap.

 

[Das Longbowman]

Alex couldn't hold anything together after he died

Being dead tends to drastically reduce one's abilities.

Sigging this ...

 

[masterborn12]

3 commanders that changed the world.

1 Genghis khan.

2 Alexander

3 Khalid ibn walid
Without him Islam wouldnt be that big as it was today

 

[NikeBG]

But if we compared just the commanders, we should only talk about their personal abilities etc. But to fully compare two commanders(and the difference between Army commanders and strategists is just that), should't we look on how did they manage their army(logistics, tactics, all aspects in general)?

Because, sure, if you look to it just that way, you're right, but an army commander should be judged, apart from his personal traits and abilities, by, well...his army.

How they managed their armies is a part of who the commanders are as well. Otherwise you're not comparing Alexander with Genghis, but the ancient Macedons with the late medieval Mongols, a la Deadliest Warrior. If you want to compare the commanders themselves, I say give them equal armies (or even the same, neutral (i.e. don't force phalanx armies on Genghis or horse archer masses on Alexander, but something more in the middle)) and only then see how they'd fare against each other.

 

[nikosierra125]

But their tactics were heavily influenced by the armies they led! you would not get Alexander randomly ordering his men to mount horses and give them bows just for the lols, the armies they led influenced the leadership style, if that were to happend I'd give it to Genghis again as he incorporated things into his army very easily, like siege warfare, heavy armor from china etc. Alexander seemed to want to do it but didn't do it was successfully.