how do you train a quality combat general?

**BurningEGO** · 02-20-2009, 03:26

Alexander as the greatest general of all time... He is definetely overrated.

Oh come on, beating a "military genius" such as Darius III shows no real skill. When Alexander fought in the Hydaspes, and fought someone smarter he had eventually to stop his conquests even after winning that battle with a lot of dificulty.

Hannibal on the other hand... Fought one of the greatest superpowers with limited resources over more then one decade, used similar strategies like Alexander but much more refined. I mean, the guy used every single thing to his advantage. Things like the wind, the sun, or even the sand. Definetely, the best general of the ancient era, if not the greatest of all.

As for the dark ages... Belisarius. Beating Persia, conquering Italy and northern africa usually with outnumbered forces, was a great feat. And I wouldnt consider Charlesmagne a great leader simply because of his rather simple, and brute tactics.

For the middle ages its really hard to choose one. Henry V, Edward III or Timur are some that come to mind, but i think i would definetely pick Timur. He virtually created an empire from nothing, from India to Anatolia, and never lost a single battle.

**Alexander the Adequate** · 02-20-2009, 04:07

You're all wrong. Belisarius is the greatest

EDIT: So, err, props to you BurningEGO. Sorry, i read these posts too quickly.

**A Very Super Market** · 02-20-2009, 04:35

BEST NAME EVAR ^

As stated, Alexander was the greatest conquerer. In one lifetime, he took over an empire that had taken countless to make. Tactically speaking, he was only above-average. Hannibal could win any battle, but he couldn't siege, and he couldn't take advantage of them. Alexander took the greatest cities, with the greatest walls.

I support a campaign to take Alexander and Hannibal into a teleporter, and cause a The Fly moment and create the most awesome general ever.

**Alexander the Adequate** · 02-20-2009, 04:47

I support a campaign to take Alexander and Hannibal into a teleporter, and cause a The Fly moment and create the most awesome general ever

Or their heads will be conjoined at the neck and they'll spend all eternity bickering as to who is the greater general

Hannibal: What? You're full of it, I'm so much better than you!

Alex: Um, except, you lost...n00b

Hannibal: Oh please. Just because I didn't fight against a guy who ran away every time doesn't make me any worsea general.

And so on into infinity...

**desert** · 02-20-2009, 05:18

You wouldn't happen to know Alexander the Pretty Good, would you?

**Βελισάριος** · 02-20-2009, 05:25

To tell you the truth, between Alexander and Hannibal I always prefered the latter. But I have to be honest... that's only because he stuck it to the Romans.

I'd say Hannibal was an excellent tactitian but, overall, Alexander was better. Not to mention the fact that he accomplished all that he did before he was 33. The only other man to have such a great impact on history in such a short amount of time was Jesus of Nazareth.

It would certainly be interesting to see a battle between those two. I'd have my money on Alexander to tell you the truth. Hannibal was an expert at choosing his field but Alexander could make the best of any field you gave him. Hannibal was very creative when it came to tactics, but Alexander knew how to exploit his adversary's weaknesses.

En fin, we'll have to accept the fact that we'll never know.

The only reason I chose Aetius over Attila (without neglecting the Hun's impact on History) was because those two actually fought each other.

Oh, and Hun... as for medieval times, there's one general I'm sure you'll recognise who's perhaps one of my personal favourites: Janos Hunyadi, The White Knight.

**soup_alex** · 02-20-2009, 08:03

Ah, so much Hannibal-love in this thread. Don't be ashamed; embrace it!

Originally Posted by Burebista if you think I am going to open Character Map and even ATTEMPT to retype your name you are joking but I guess I could just copy/paste it but I prefer typing pointless rubbish like this

En fin, we'll have to accept the fact that we'll never know.

At least only until humans discover time travel. Yes, I have watched Bill & Ted's etc. etc. recently (and let me tell you I would do thinks differently; I mean, Billy the Kid (aged 33)?)

Also +1 for Charlemagne.

**HunGeneral** · 02-20-2009, 21:31

Originally Posted by Βελισάριος

It would certainly be interesting to see a battle between those two. I'd have my money on Alexander to tell you the truth. Hannibal was an expert at choosing his field but Alexander could make the best of any field you gave him. Hannibal was very creative when it came to tactics, but Alexander knew how to exploit his adversary's weaknesses.

I surely agrre on that one. But

Originally Posted by Βελισάριος

En fin, we'll have to accept the fact that we'll never know.

Amen to that brother

I hope we won't start a Alexander vs. Hannibal debate

.
If someone wants to see one like that then go here:http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=184720

Originally Posted by Βελισάριος

The only reason I chose Aetius over Attila (without neglecting the Hun's impact on History) was because those two actually fought each other.

An unusual argument if you ask me but lets leave it.

Originally Posted by Βελισάριος

Oh, and Hun... as for medieval times, there's one general I'm sure you'll recognise who's perhaps one of my personal favourites: Janos Hunyadi, The White Knight.

Yes youre right - I know the history of Hunyadi János the "turk-beater" quite well. In fact for me he is the greatest General of Medieval times (at the same level as Genghis Khan) but I don't know much detail of the Medieval history of other nations so I couldn't say for sure. (Good to know you respect him aswell. I always remember him when I hear the noon bell.)
However I know for sure that Hunyadi János and his son Mátyás had a great affect on History. Not just that of Middle- and East-Europe but also that of whole Europe. You can even hear it today...

**A Very Super Market** · 02-20-2009, 23:06

Waitaminute... wasn't he the guy who killed Vlad Dracul's father?

**Ludens** · 02-21-2009, 17:37

Originally Posted by BurningEGO

Alexander as the greatest general of all time... He is definetely overrated.

Oh come on, beating a "military genius" such as Darius III shows no real skill. When Alexander fought in the Hydaspes, and fought someone smarter he had eventually to stop his conquests even after winning that battle with a lot of dificulty.

I am surprised how many people readily assume that Darius was incompetent. I suppose this is part of the general devaluation of the enemies of Rome and Greece. Darius wasn't a military genius, indeed, but if you look at his tactics, they actually make a great deal of sense. Unfortunately for Darius, he was up against a real military genius who anticipated Darius' actions and planned accordingly.