Registered: Jan 2007
Location: Roaming the Universe
Did I ever mention them
No it doesn't, the skills used is as you say a factor to, and this makes me say Ghengis Khan even more the abilities the masterful planing was truly great, A shame we aren't looking on empires then it would be a hard battle between England and Rome
Registered: May 2006
Location: Beverly Hills, California
You're right. The regions of the empire were ruled by his blood relatives, after his death. And they all remain loyal to the Great Khan, who was the direct blood line. Alexander left no one.
Afonso Albuquerque the great. He was a portugese conqurerer. In 6 years he setup and sustained theh portugese empire across four continents. Somethign no general in history had done before him - Africa (North), Asia (Indian ocean), Oceania (indonesia), teh MIddle East (Persian gulfs). Below is a battle he took against a Persian king, one of teh most powerful and significant kings in the Dynasty that ruled Persia and the Middle East at that time. He held off the ottomon and Egyptian empire and Mughal empires in INdia and setup up the portguese empire in those regions within a space of 6 years. Much faster than alexander the great. This empire was aminated there for up to 150 years after hsi death. And he did it in 6 years. And he didnt jsut rule and lead armies into war, he also administered teh portuguese empire and governed. His next plan, before his untimely death, was to conquer Jerusalem the Holy City, (by passing through the Red Sea/Persian Gulf). His plan was to invade Mecca, to take the prophet mohammeds body and to use it as ransom - i give you mohammeds body back - and you (meaning the islamic empires) abandon your occupatoin of Jerusalem. Read the history books - I am not making this up.
I found this passage below on the internet that describes one of his battles against a persian empire:
I just typed 'untold story portugal' in google.
"Vice-Roy of India, D. Afonso de Albuquerque, a military genius of the highest degree commanded a fleet of six ships manned by four hundred men, and entered Ormuz Bay, being surrounded by 250 warships and a 20.000 men army on land ready to dispatch the small Portuguese flotilla.
When the King of Ormuz sent aboard an emissary to question Albuquerque, the great Commander told the messenger one phrase: Surrender yourselves !!!
This must have provoked an inner laugh from the messenger who left.
When the battle begun, Albuquerque made his fleet circle like a carrousel and destroyed most of the ships. He then proceeded to conquer Ormuz with 400 men.
How could this be achieved one must ask. The technical explanation may make some sense, but will not explain the courage of taking such a risk.
In fact we all know that during the U.S.Civil War, canons had to be loaded from their mouths. This was in the XIX Century. However Albuquerque’s canons were equipped with breeches that did not require the canons to be brought backwards to be loaded. It meant that while the enemy’s canons fired a shot, the Portuguese canons could fire six with a range of 1.800 meters against 700 meters of the enemy’s canons. The next issue is that the Portuguese artillery men had discovered the propulsive effect of water. If you throw a stone at a low angle near the surface of the water, the stone will be propelled by the water’s surface and gain more speed.
The second row of canons were placed very near the floating line and the stronger fire power was further enhanced by the water effect, causing the steel balls to not only hit the ship but hit the one behind the first one. Being fired at close to the floating line, the ships would start sinking very fast.
Then one must be aware that the Portuguese knew they were always outnumbered, a certainty that led them to employ all their courage and determination in the fights and battles they engaged.
In many cases, just mentioning the Portuguese would distress an entire army or fleet, knowing the fierceness and bravery of the Portuguese warriors.
Mention the Portuguese nowadays and it distresses the creditors.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
Registered: Dec 2006
Location: When in Doubt, Go to the Library.
Alexander the Great. He conquered all of the known world in his time, and died in his bed of malaria. Also, Julius Caesar emulated him in his strategies and battles. When Caesar came to Egypt, one of the reasons for his trip [besides finding Ptolmey, and ending the civil war between Cleopatra and her brother-husband Pompey,] was to see the grave of Alexander. Of course Julius was a great conqueror himself, but he did not conquer all of the known world. And yes I know, by that time the known world had become a bit larger, but the UK, which was previously under Rome's control, had broken free through rebellion. Also, Caesar's death was a betrayal.
Alexander didn't worry about betrayal, all of his men were so loyal to him that they wouldn't think of it...
__________________
It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
Lol if all mutinies were only registered based on successful coups...
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
Why would the Ottoman empire, the Egyptian empire, Venetians, the Dutch, Indian empire (Mughals), Persian empire and the African warlords, the North African empires, and the Moloccan warlords all be fighting against Portugal just for "...a series of tiny coastal land strips and enclaves."? Why would half the world go after such an empire, if that is all it was? The portuguese conquest spanned over 4 centuries and reached every corner or continent of the globe. That is why every major empire was going after it for well over 150 years. Alexander the great had an empire that stretched from greece to india but he held it together for about 10 years. Then he died. After his death, it crumbled apart. Holding up an empire for 10 years isnt enough to warrant the title of 'great'. And as for Ceasar, he relied on numbers to win his battles. It doesnt take a genius to win war relying on head-count. Most portuguese generals had no numbers to rely on and still, won. I cannot say the same for Ceasar.
Last edited by johnthebaptist7 on Nov 20th, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Mar 23rd, 2007 09:50 PM
