Inspired by the Hannibal vs. Alexander thread...
If it were Alexander the Great leading Carthaginian troops across the Alps, how would he have faired?
What about Julius Caesar?
Inspired by the Hannibal vs. Alexander thread...
If it were Alexander the Great leading Carthaginian troops across the Alps, how would he have faired?
What about Julius Caesar?
Alexander would have accomplished the feat with the same result if not better than Hannibal. His troops were crack mountain fighters and would not have had the difficulties that Hannibal had. I also think but, I am not positive, that Alexander's forces had fewer cavalry troops than Hannibal's which also would have made for easier movement.
Caesar , I do not think, would have had as easy a time as Hannibal. I do not think he possessed the personal leadership qualities that the other 2 possessed and having read a few books on his campaigns, I believe that a large number of his victories can be attributed to lucK. If he would have succeeded in crossing the Alps, his loses would have been greater than Hannibal's.
Eigi Eru Enn Allir Jomsvikingar daudhir
(Not Yet Are All the Jomsvikings Dead)
Caesar: He would have gone to Rome as diplomatic, but would have promised money and favors and recruited an army there that would remain silent and quiet until he crossed the Alps with his main force. He would also bribe some Centurions to make subtle changes that would favor him. Then he would head straight to Rome following the fastest route and, when about to enter the city, would send a group to parlament, meanwhile his "inner" army would prepare to attack, the bribed centurions would place the "backstabbers" as guards on the walls the night the attack was planned.
As the diplomats are in the city, the Romans wouldn´t expect an attack til those are back, so in the darkness, the gates would be opened by the people inside and the city would be lost.
Thats about the war.
About the Alps, well, I think Caesar would have crossed them somehow. He survived and gathered an army on the N. Coast of Africa when he was abandoned there by the pirates, so I don´t see why couldn´t he have crossed the Alps. One thing is sure, he would have never brought the elephants thru with him, because they are too cumbersome to "transport", but He could have traded them for winter clothes, or weapons, or more gaul reinforcements or something like that.
Managing perceptions goes hand in hand with managing expectations - Masamune
Pie is merely the power of the state intruding into the private lives of the working class. - Beirut
[quote=SwordsMaster,June 16 2004,22:29]Caesar: He would have gone to Rome as diplomatic, but would have promised money and favors and recruited an army there that would remain silent and quiet until he crossed the Alps with his main force. He would also bribe some Centurions to make subtle changes that would favor him. Then he would head straight to Rome following the fastest route and, when about to enter the city, would send a group to parlament, meanwhile his "inner" army would prepare to attack, the bribed centurions would place the "backstabbers" as guards on the walls the night the attack was planned.
As the diplomats are in the city, the Romans wouldn´t expect an attack til those are back, so in the darkness, the gates would be opened by the people inside and the city would be lost.
Thats about the war.
A classic strategy so commonly used in "Romance of Three Kingdoms".
A Member of Clan SG
"水无常形，兵无常势"
Never read that, but Sulla liked to use it too, and Some of the Japanese gens as well, although theirs was more subtle as the samurai are less prone to accept bribes.
Managing perceptions goes hand in hand with managing expectations - Masamune
Pie is merely the power of the state intruding into the private lives of the working class. - Beirut
I feel that only Alex could have replaced Hannibal
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