Whether through tactical development or outright brutality, these military commanders had a significant impact on history.
Alexander the Great
Alexander was undefeated throughout his military career. He personally led his army as it conquered territory from Greece to India. His empire was built out of what was formerly Macedon by crushing the resistance of far larger armies with speed and creative tactics.
His command of the phalanx won him many battles, and his willingness to fight in the front ranks earned him the respect and fear of his men.
Julius Caesar
Through a mixture of brilliant logistics and battlefield engineering, charisma with his troops, and force of will, Caesar was able to greatly expand Roman territory by conquering Gaul and other lands.
He also created a strong personal brand that marketed himself well enough back home to become a popular ruler.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon has been said to be the greatest military leader of modern warfare. He commanded over 80 battles and won an astounding number of them.
Napoleon emphasized speed and artillery and changed the organizational structure of his army. His legacy lives on today in reforms he created for Europe’s armies and the codified set of laws he left behind.
Genghis Khan
Founder of the Mongol Empire, Genghis Khan was able to unite the nomadic tribes of Mongolia and start the largest land empire in history.
He revolutionized military strategy by prioritizing mobility and skill over class and family background of his troops. Genghis organized his army in such a way to maximize flexibility rather than using slow, regimented troops like his enemies.
Subutai
Regarded as the phantom genius of the Mongol empire, Subutai is said to have conquered more land than any other military commander of all time.
While serving both Genghis Khan and his successors, he conquered territory from China to Eastern Europe. He was able to organize a multi-front campaign with virtually no real communication between armies.
Khalid ibn al-Walid
Dubbed the “Sword of Allah,” Khalid was able to win an astonishing number of battles throughout his career. Never once losing in over 100 battles, he was known for his pincer moves that would completely encircle his enemy’s army.
Khalid was instrumental in establishing the Rashidun Caliphate during the 7th century, and against incredible odds, would tear through the Persian and Byzantine empires.
Georgy Zhukov
Remembered as the man who turned the tide against Nazi Germany, Georgy Zhukov led the Soviet Union to some of the most important victories of World War II.
From Stalingrad to Berlin, he was able to command massive operations and showcase his gift for operational planning. A brutal man who was known to push his troops beyond human limits, he will forever be memorialized in Russian history for his leadership.
Hannibal Barca
Famous for leading elephants over the Alps and then into Italy, Hannibal Barca will forever be known for his victory at Cannae. Skillfully using tactical positioning, he managed to surround the entire Roman army and achieved one of the most complete military victories in history.
Even though he didn’t ultimately destroy Rome, to this day, his battle strategy at Cannae is still used to illustrate a perfect battle.
Scipio Africanus
This was the Roman general who finally figured out how to defeat Hannibal. He learned from his enemy and adapted his army to ensure that they could not be defeated at Zama.
Not only did he win the battle, but his victory marked the beginning of Rome’s rise to power in the Mediterranean. Scipio was also known to have great respect for the people he conquered.
Frederick the Great
Dubbed “Frederick the Great” for his tactical prowess on the battlefield, this king would lead Prussia during the Seven Years’ War. Facing off against the Russians, Swedes, and Austrians simultaneously, he used precise maneuvers and incredible discipline to keep his country undefeated in the war.
His obsession with military discipline transformed his nation into a great European power.
Yi Sun-sin
Yi Sun-sin was a Korean admiral who is known for never having lost a naval battle. When his country was invaded by the Japanese, he utilized newly developed turtle ships and his knowledge of the tide to defeat the enemy.
He is remembered as a hero in Korea today for defending his country despite very little support from his king.
Saladin
Saladin was the Sultan of Egypt and Syria who united all Muslim factions in defiance of the Crusaders.
He is best remembered for recapturing the city of Jerusalem. Saladin would successfully hold off the massive armies of the Third Crusade and establish a lasting legacy due to his honorable actions towards his enemies.
Han Xin
Regarded as one of China’s greatest tacticians, Han Xin was able to win battles that many others before him could not. Armed with unconventional tactics and an uncanny knowledge of his foe, he was able to defeat warlord Xiang Yu.
This victory would help his lord Liu Bang take control of China, and Han Xin would establish the groundwork for the Han Dynasty.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
