Originally by Mike RothschildList RulesList includes military leaders from all countries and all eras.
Military history has a few figures who didn't just win battles or campaigns, but changed the world and the destiny of their nations. From the earliest world conquerors, men who laid waste to the entire known world; to modern tactical geniuses using weapons that previous generations only dreamed of, these are the best military leaders, those who were known, feared and respected by both their people and their opponents.
Some of the best army generals in the world and best international army leaders are known even by people who know little else about military history. Others are less well-known but no less important. And every country in history has their own heroes, leaders who commanded forces in the battles that shaped their destiny. This list is far from comprehensive, and can never be, but attempts to find a cross-section of legendary warrior-kings, great strategists, modern innovators, and legendary blood and guts men and women who personally fought in combat.
Vote up the greatest military leaders below, and vote down the ones who might be overrated. Be sure to add other famous military leaders who aren't already listed to make the debate even more complete.
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2,787989Alexander the Great
Dec. at 33 (355 BC-322 BC)Never lost a battle and spread Hellenistic civilization across the known world.2
2,368991Napoleon Bonaparte
Dec. at 52 (1769-1821)Conquered continental Europe and revolutionized military tactics.3
2,005832Julius Caesar
Dec. at 56 (99 BC-43 BC)Personally led the Roman armies at the height of their power.4
2,224932Brutal conqueror who sacked much of the known world.5
1,520823Hannibal Barca
Dec. at 64 (246 BC-182 BC)Legendary Carthaginian general who nearly sacked Rome and spread fear through the Empire.6
1,206671Attila the Hun
Dec. at 47 (406-453)Laid waste to much of Central and Eastern Europe.7
1,268714Destroyed the First Crusade and conquered Jerusalem.8
1,210573Sun Tzu
Dec. at 48 (543 BC-495 BC)Wrote The Art of War, which is still a seminal military text 2,500 years later.9
1,369753Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Age: Died at 57 (1881-1938)10
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713388Timur
Dec. at 69 (1336-1405)12
655245Khalid ibn al-Walid
Dec. at 50 (592-642)13
677373Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden
Dec. at 38 (1594-1632)14
506296Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Dec. at 83 (1769-1852)15
442227Philip II of Macedon
Dec. at 46 (381 BC-335 BC)16
605338Subutai
Dec. at 72 (1176-1248)Primary field commander of the Mongols. Said to have conquered 32 nations and won 65 battles.17
850531Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Dec. at 47 (1758-1805)Legendary leader of British naval forces at the Battle of Trafalgar.18
363167Constantine the Great
Dec. at 65 (272-337)19
924603Scipio Africanus
Dec. at 53 (235 BC-182 BC)Roman tactical genius who beat Hannibal in the Second Punic War.20
1,083727Frederick II of Prussia
Dec. at 74 (1712-1786)21
991640Peter the Great
Dec. at 53 (1672-1725)Military leader who transformed Russia into a world power.22
648285Kanuni Sultan Süleyman
Dec. at 72 (1494-1566)23
1,4961,031Erwin Rommel
Dec. at 53 (1891-1944)Legendary field commander who virtually created modern tank warfare.24
38521725
357173Simón Bolívar
Dec. at 47 (1783-1830)
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