The Greatest Conqueror in History!

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
Saladin springs to mind...

Alexander the Great deffinitivly, Khan was ruthless beyond any ruthlessness - perhaps thats why he was so successful.

Those two are probably the greatest military leaders ever. Which is funny because they were exact opposites.....Saladin was chivalrous, and Khan was a barbarian.

I think that's a bit of a stretch.

Originally posted by Janus Marius
I think that's a bit of a stretch.

How do you figure?

I hope "Los conquistadores" burn in hell for robbing my people!

Both of them were very good, but there were other military leaders who were equally good or better, just not as notable in the grand scheme. For example, this guy here did some wonders. I personally feel that people like Alexander in particular overshadow a lot of very good generals who have a lot less to work with. Alexander did inherit one hell of a position.

Um..Question. Has any of the African natios ever been a world power? Not Arabian and the border ones like Egypt and such, but the more of the core countries.

Hm. There was a pretty large and influential kingdom on the Ivory Coast, and another in the Ethiopia/Kenya/Zimbabwe area, if I recall correctly.

Originally posted by Numan2.0
Um..Question. Has any of the African natios ever been a world power? Not Arabian and the border ones like Egypt and such, but the more of the core countries.

Originally posted by Janus Marius
Both of them were very good, but there were other military leaders who were equally good or better, just not as notable in the grand scheme. For example, this guy here did some wonders. I personally feel that people like Alexander in particular overshadow a lot of very good generals who have a lot less to work with. Alexander did inherit one hell of a position.

Hm...Good post....Most leaders get lost under the fame of others.

On second thought, I agree with Saladin being impressive and chivalrous. I somehow overlooked his name when I read that post.

Interesting topic, but it needs to be a bit more focused. You could have multiple answers and they'd all be right depending on one's criteria.

Are we talking largest land mass conquered? If that's the case, it would be Khan, whose Mongol dynasty covered more land than even Rome in its height.

Greatest conqueror in terms of leadership ability and/or ingenuity? Then I'd go with Napoleon or Alexander, who both revolutionized the way people thought about warfare in their time, and were both highly revered.

Or simply influence and power? Then I'd have to go with some Roman Emperor at the height of Rome's power (probably not Julius). They were certainly the most culturally influential of the great empires of human history.

...there's probably some I'm forgetting, or that haven't been mentioned yet, but it's certainly an interesting discussion by any criteria. Cool thread.

Regarding the question (which really is two part.)

In terms of most land conquered, and power gained, ...you have to give it up to Alexander first. This is where "party lines" were seriously confused. This is where people first realized that "just because we're the same race, doesn't mean we have to be ruled by someone of that race".

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
Regarding the question (which really is two part.)

In terms of most land conquered, and power gained, ...you have to give it up to Alexander first. This is where "party lines" were seriously confused. This is where people first realized that "just because we're the same race, doesn't mean we have to be ruled by someone of that race".

Originally posted by Fatal Smoke
It was by option then choice.

I'm afraid I don't understand what you're saying.

Perhaps you're saying he gave them a choice. But, that's not really true. There is a clear alternative between force, and peaceful acceptance of reality.

I meant to put: It was more by option than choice.which is what you basically said.

There was no option granted by Alexander. The choices were, either respect the gods that have conquered you, with all due respect to those you worship, or face the consequences. Alexander never said "abandon your gods"! He simply said respect those who have subdued you. And, with such respect comes freedom of religion.

Alexander' s conquests are what have made him admired, vilified, emulated, and studied for over two millennia. He was one of the greatest generals of all time.

"Do you think I have not just cause to weep, when I consider that Alexander at my age had conquered so many nations, and I have all this time done nothing that is memorable?"
- Julius Caesar -

Originally posted by Storm
Alexander' s conquests are what have made him admired, vilified, emulated, and studied for over two millennia. He was one of the greatest generals of all time.

"Do you think I have not just cause to weep, when I consider that Alexander at my age had conquered so many nations, and I have all this time done nothing that is memorable?"
- Julius Caesar -

Also, where did you get that quote from and are any more?

Originally posted by Capt_Fantastic
There was no option granted by Alexander. The choices were, either respect the gods that have conquered you, with all due respect to those you worship, or face the consequences. Alexander never said "abandon your gods"! He simply said respect those who have subdued you. And, with such respect comes freedom of religion.

Originally posted by lil bitchiness
👆

Also, where did you get that quote from and are any more?