Top Five Most Respected Military Geniuses
by A list and description of four of the most respected military leaders.
Many conflicts and wars have polluted the history of humans. Not a second has passed where there has not been a major conflict occurring. As the great Einstein once said, “As long as there is humanity, there is war.” Most people view war as a very cruel and unnecessary part of life. Yet, in every battle there is a hero and a leader. Here is a compilation of 5 of the most respected military geniuses.
1. Genghis Khan
I have not yet met a man who did not know the name of this mighty warlord. Genghis Khan started his military fortune my uniting all the nomadic tribes of northeast Asian and founded the “Mongol Empire”. He then lead many military campaigns against the kingdoms of Asia and eventually conquered a vast majority of its lands. After the passing of the “Great Khan”, his descendants eventually established the Yuan dynasty of China.
Genghis Khan’s Empire
The Great Khan
2. Alexander the Great
Born in 356 BC in the Kingdom of Macedon, he was the son of King Phillip. According to his father, he was a direct descendant of the invincible hero, Heracles (Hercules). As a boy, Alexander was tutored by the great Aristotle and upon reaching 16, he became regent of Macedon while his father was in foreign lands. At age 20, Phillip was assassinated and Alexander was proclaimed king at age 20. After this incident, Alexander embarked on many campaigns and used his military genius to further expand the borders of Macedon.
Alexander’s Empire
Alexander
3. Attila the Hun
Attila was emperor of the Huns from 434 to 453. He has long been a thorn in the side of the Roman Empire and his hordes filled the western world with terror and destruction. Most of Europe remembers him for his cruelty and massacres of the huge European castles. Attila’s hordes were feared and respected across Europe which earned him the tittle “Attila the Hun”.
Attila’s Empire
Attila the Hun
4. Napoleon di Buonaparte
Most people know the Napoleon and his deeds that shaped Europe during the Napoleonic Era of warfare. Born in a poor family of Corsica, Napoleon served as an artillery officer in mainland France and achieved the rank of Brigadier General in just months. He made himself the first consul of France and four years later, he became the Napoleon I, Emperor of France. During the nineteenth century, he fought against every major military in Europe. He was forced into exile on the island of Elba and soon returned to the throne. After a crushing defeat at Waterloo, he was sent under British Supervision to Saint Helena. There he died of stomach cancer most likely caused by arsenic.
Famous battle of Waterloo
Napoleon, Emperor of France
5. Hannibal
Known as the “father of strategy” throughout Europe, Hannibal lead Carthaginian Armies in many battles against the mighty Roman Empire. Hannibal equipped his army with many mercenaries which included the war elephants of Asia. Hannibal defeated many of Rome’s allies and occupied Italy for 15 years. After his army was defeated by Scipio, he fled and was eventually betrayed to the Romans.
Hannibal’s Army
Hannibal
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Post CommentJȩnnợR
On July 30, 2009 at 10:50 am
like it
cebuanaeyez
On July 30, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I was fascinated with Napoleon because of his short frame. We are probably the same height but he had more ego & determination. Great article.
Babyface Jam
On July 30, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Interesting. These ideas seem to come to you naturally. Good job writing, and I hope to hear more soon.
papaleng
On July 31, 2009 at 1:19 am
Interesting article and very informative.
mushomuso
On August 3, 2009 at 11:12 am
i also read some napoleon notes he refers to some one i knew latter his name was (khalied ibn walid) an arab islamic general said about him the best general in mankind histroy
i studied about him i knew he has not lost a songle battel of his 99 battels thata so cool
so he will be my no. 1 and then alexander as no. 2 and then nepoleon as 3th
agriculi
On August 4, 2009 at 4:26 pm
It’s a pitty that you didn’t mention when Hannibal lived.
mav
On August 10, 2009 at 10:10 am
what about Sun Tzu?
MIlitary genius. Didn’t conquer vast lands but refined “art of war.” He defeated the forces of larger dynasties through the most diciplined army of it’s time and superior planning.
Ronald Russel
On August 10, 2009 at 10:15 am
Yes, I am quite familiar with Sun Tzu, he wrote the Sun Tzu Bing Fa, also known in English as “Art of War”. He might be smarter than all the tacticians above, but he lacked one thing, total dominance of his army. As you may know, his country eventually lost the war. Another tactician that I also adore is Zhuge Liang from the Three Kingdoms era.
Popider
On August 13, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Where’s Julius Caesar
He beat an army outnumbered nearly 10 to 1, bridged the rhine in 1 week, built 40+km of wall round Alesia and beat Pompey outnumbered more than 2 to 1! Also, I might be wrong, but is the plural of “genius” not genii? 
Sorry, being a dick, good article though- really liked it. You obviously think these through and put a lot of time into them.
great saracen king, Saladin
On June 30, 2011 at 12:19 pm
yes, and his (Khalid bin Walid\’s) greatest achievment was the conquest of Syria,Phonecia and many other great victories against heavy odds!!
He not only fought in the open but also captured great heavily walled cities like Damascus and Antioch from the Romans.
It is also said of him that he alone was enough for a hundred horses and when he ran, the sand flew high three times above him!!
History book
On June 30, 2011 at 1:11 pm
actually, the title is about the “most respected” generals. but genghis khan, atillia the hun were not respected and are counted as villians in history.
the relatives of the khan himself were feeling ashamed of being of the blood of genghis khan and even his descendants did not take his name.
if we’re taking about respected geniuses, people like Umar bin al khattab (r.a), Khalid bin walid(r.a.) and saladin were highly respected by everyone.
Saladin was also respected by the crusaders, his enemies and he was so charitable to even his enemies. his prisoners and captives were treated as special guests.Moreover, he never used to kill his enemies, only if they are too cruel and he never killed any helpless enemy in the desert itself, rather he was not afraid of his enemies who would take revenge for killing their leader and would execute them in the castle in front of everyone.
Ronald Russel
On October 30, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Allow me to clarify, by respected I mean respected by modern historians and scholars. Obviously this list was greatly influenced by my own personal opinions. Bust isn’t that the beauty of history? There’s no mathematical formula to describe the passion of the William Wallace’s stand against English oppression. There’s no equation that could explain how Napoleon out maneuvered so many enemies Europe. There’s no law that clarifies how a gathering of nomadic tribes carved the largest empire the world has ever seen. In a society defined by science and laws, it is truly wonderful that we can debate history. So for everyone that has given me criticism, I appreciate the new insights I gave gained and thank you for reading my article!