Poll: Who is the Greatest General during the Roman Republic?

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  1. #1
    Senior Member Senior Member Quintus.JC's Avatar
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    Default Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Just who do you think is the Greatest General during the Roman Republic?

    Short List:
    Hannibal Barca (247 - 183 B.C)
    Antiochus III the Great (241 - 187 B.C)
    Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (235 - 183 B.C)
    Titus Quinctius Flamininus (228 - 174 B.C)
    Publius Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus (185 - 129 B.C)
    Gaius Marius (158 - 87 B.C)
    Lucius Cornelius Sulla (138 - 79 B.C)
    Mithradates VI Eupator Dionysius (132 - 63 B.C)
    Lucius Licinius Lucullus (116 - 56 B.C)
    Gnaius Pompeius Magnus (106 - 48 B.C)
    Gaius Julius Caesar (101 - 44 B.C)
    Vercingetorix (? - 46 B.C)
    Marcus Antonius (83 - 30 B.C)
    Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (63 - 12 B.C)
    Nero Drusus (40 - 9 B.C)
    Arminius (19 B.C - 19 A.D)
    Germanicus (15 B.C - 19 A.D)
    Last edited by Quintus.JC; 01-20-2008 at 21:00.

  2. #2
    Prince of Maldonia Member Toby and Kiki Champion, Goo Slasher Champion, Frogger Champion woad&fangs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    What about Phyrrus?
    Why did the chicken cross the road?

    So that its subjects will view it with admiration, as a chicken which has the daring and courage to boldly cross the road,
    but also with fear, for whom among them has the strength to contend with such a paragon of avian virtue? In such a manner is the princely
    chicken's dominion maintained. ~Machiavelli

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    Tribunus Plebis Member Gaius Scribonius Curio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Looking at the list:

    Hannibal was a great general but eventually failed, Scipio Africanus was a literal student of Hannibal's, but still very skilled.

    I respect Sulla a lot for his victories in Greece, but Mithradates wasn't a brilliant general in his own right, was a fantastic conqueror though.

    Lucullus has to be be the most undervalued/unappreciated people in history. He was a fantastic general, but due to his unpopularity Pompey (a non-entity in my opinion) managed to take the credit.

    Agrippa was great too, but I have to go with Caesar. I mean he was deified! lol. Probably the greatest general that ever lived, But I'm open to discussion.
    Nihil nobis metuendum est, praeter metum ipsum. - Caesar
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    Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram
    perque domos Ditis vacuas et inania regna:
    quale per incertam lunam sub luce maligna
    est iter in silvis, ubi caelum condidit umbra
    Iuppiter, et rebus nox abstulit atra colorem.
    - Vergil

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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Where is Pyrrhus of Epirus? And why is Antiochus III the lowlife there?

    Anyway, I vote for Hannibal, I was going to vote for Scipio Africanus but, after all, he was the student of Hannibal's tactics. (Although he did overcome him in the end.)

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    Deranged rock ape Member Quirinus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    I vote for Sulla Felix, but I would have chosen Mithradates IV too. Not neccesarily the best generals, but easily the most fascinating pair. I mean, drinking small amounts of poison regularly to innoculate yourself against real poisoning attempts? How cool is that?
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    agitated Member master of the puppets's Avatar
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    Talking Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Definately Hannibal Barca. Simply the amount of battles he won and always as the lesser in number. Any other nation at that time would simply have submitted to carthage under such defeats. The only reason he failed in the end was he didn't expect he had to take rome to win.
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    I think the main reason was the lack of support in his own nation, Carthaginians didn't support him, thus, leaving Hannibal alone with a bunch of mercenaries in southern Italy. He was very close, and it seems like the defecting states of Rome were all for nought.

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    Senior Member Senior Member Quintus.JC's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Sorry about Pyrrhus, I just completely forgot about him. Antiocus III was there because I felt someone should represent the Seleucids in this poll.

  9. #9
    For England and St.George Senior Member ShadesWolf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Wot about Pyrrhus?
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    For England and St.George Senior Member ShadesWolf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Went 4 my old fav 'Gaius Julius Caesar '

    I know much more about him than most of the others.
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  11. #11
    Tree Killer Senior Member Beirut's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    So, these two guys get into a bar fight in Zama.

    One wins.

    One loses.

    And there you have it.
    Unto each good man a good dog

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    Tovenaar Senior Member The Wizard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Oh, Beirut, you don't know half about the can of worms you've just opened...

    Anyways, I'd vote Lucullus if it wasn't for his impopularity, which is kinda a thing you need to keep an army moving, especially back in those days. So instead, I'll have to say Caesar.
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    Tree Killer Senior Member Beirut's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Quote Originally Posted by Baba Ga'on
    Oh, Beirut, you don't know half about the can of worms you've just opened...
    Not the first half, no.

    But I'm eating the other half that's left in the can right now.

    Mmmm... worms.
    Unto each good man a good dog

  14. #14
    Tribunus Plebis Member Gaius Scribonius Curio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Well somebody had to contradict you, so I will!

    Alternative: A master and an apprentice face off at Zama, the apprentice has the advantage of superior materials, the apprentice wins.
    Nihil nobis metuendum est, praeter metum ipsum. - Caesar
    We have not to fear anything, except fear itself.



    Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram
    perque domos Ditis vacuas et inania regna:
    quale per incertam lunam sub luce maligna
    est iter in silvis, ubi caelum condidit umbra
    Iuppiter, et rebus nox abstulit atra colorem.
    - Vergil

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    Honorary Argentinian Senior Member Gyroball Champion, Karts Champion Caius's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Quote Originally Posted by Beirut
    Not the first half, no.

    But I'm eating the other half that's left in the can right now.

    Mmmm... worms.
    Hmm...eating McDonalds food Beirut?

    I will vote 4 Caius Julius Caesar.




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    Tribunus Plebis Member Gaius Scribonius Curio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Pyrrhus was a good general but theres a reason that its called a Pyrrhic victory!

    And I agree totally with Quirinus, Sulla and Mithradates the Great were both fascinating! But I read the question as being who was the best (ie most successful) general!
    Nihil nobis metuendum est, praeter metum ipsum. - Caesar
    We have not to fear anything, except fear itself.



    Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram
    perque domos Ditis vacuas et inania regna:
    quale per incertam lunam sub luce maligna
    est iter in silvis, ubi caelum condidit umbra
    Iuppiter, et rebus nox abstulit atra colorem.
    - Vergil

  17. #17
    Tovenaar Senior Member The Wizard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Lucullus was better than both of those
    "It ain't where you're from / it's where you're at."

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    Tribunus Plebis Member Gaius Scribonius Curio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    I agree, but that doesn't stop them from being more interesting!
    Nihil nobis metuendum est, praeter metum ipsum. - Caesar
    We have not to fear anything, except fear itself.



    Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram
    perque domos Ditis vacuas et inania regna:
    quale per incertam lunam sub luce maligna
    est iter in silvis, ubi caelum condidit umbra
    Iuppiter, et rebus nox abstulit atra colorem.
    - Vergil

  19. #19
    Prince of Maldonia Member Toby and Kiki Champion, Goo Slasher Champion, Frogger Champion woad&fangs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Quote Originally Posted by Gaius Scribonius Curio
    Pyrrhus was a good general but theres a reason that its called a Pyrrhic victory!
    According to Hannibal himself, the 3 greatest generals in History were...

    1. Alexander the Great
    2. Hannibal
    3. Phyrrus

    He said that if he had won at Zama then he would have placed himself first. So if Phyrrus was ranked third then he definately should be in discussion.

    Gaius Marius and Julius Caesar probably would have been ranked pretty highly if they were alive at Hannibal's time. Although, to be honest, I've always viewed the Roman's strategy as "throw enough meat into the grinder and eventually it will break".
    Why did the chicken cross the road?

    So that its subjects will view it with admiration, as a chicken which has the daring and courage to boldly cross the road,
    but also with fear, for whom among them has the strength to contend with such a paragon of avian virtue? In such a manner is the princely
    chicken's dominion maintained. ~Machiavelli

  20. #20
    Tribunus Plebis Member Gaius Scribonius Curio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Love the ego from Hannibal, but he does deserve to be there!

    I'll grant you that Phyrrus deserves to be discussed, its just that personally I believe that many of the Generals actually mentioned were better. Most of those were out of Hannibals timeframe anyway.

    I also agree with your views on the Roman strategy, although the technological edge (ie. the use of pila, and yes I know the Iberian tribes used them too) was also a factor, and the later republican generals weren't so bad for that.
    Nihil nobis metuendum est, praeter metum ipsum. - Caesar
    We have not to fear anything, except fear itself.



    Ibant obscuri sola sub nocte per umbram
    perque domos Ditis vacuas et inania regna:
    quale per incertam lunam sub luce maligna
    est iter in silvis, ubi caelum condidit umbra
    Iuppiter, et rebus nox abstulit atra colorem.
    - Vergil

  21. #21
    The Scourge of Rome Member Spartan198's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    The easy picks are Gaius Julius Caesar,Hannibal Barca,and Scipio Africanus,but I'd personally have to go with Gaius Marius. If not for his military reforms,the Roman army would probably have never reached its full potential. Caesar may have been the general,but it was the Marian legions who did the fighting that transformed the Republic into an empire.
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  22. #22
    Ezio's apprentice Member Tabuu's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Ehhhrrr..... yes, Hannibal Barca.

    Really, can you get trained by your father to slay a whole race as soon as you're ready? All I can say is: Hannibal was God when it came to strategy.

    Slayed 7,000 Romans in one day. That's Cannae for ya'. The other battles only added on to his strategic skill.

    Anyone hear that saying about Hannibal? "He knows how to gain a victory, but does not know how to use it." Well that was true when he decided to march back home instead of march a mere 200 miles to Rome itself. However in my opinion he made the right choice. He was low on supplies and his men's morale was depleted. So, yes I vote for Hannibal Barca.
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  23. #23
    Praefectus Fabrum Senior Member Anime BlackJack Champion, Flash Poker Champion, Word Up Champion, Shape Game Champion, Snake Shooter Champion, Fishwater Challenge Champion, Rocket Racer MX Champion, Jukebox Hero Champion, My House Is Bigger Than Your House Champion, Funky Pong Champion, Cutie Quake Champion, Fling The Cow Champion, Tiger Punch Champion, Virus Champion, Solitaire Champion, Worm Race Champion, Rope Walker Champion, Penguin Pass Champion, Skate Park Champion, Watch Out Champion, Lawn Pac Champion, Weapons Of Mass Destruction Champion, Skate Boarder Champion, Lane Bowling Champion, Bugz Champion, Makai Grand Prix 2 Champion, White Van Man Champion, Parachute Panic Champion, BlackJack Champion, Stans Ski Jumping Champion, Smaugs Treasure Champion, Sofa Longjump Champion Seamus Fermanagh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Han Xin?
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  24. #24
    Pleasing the Fates Senior Member A Nerd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Scipio. Liked his ever since I played 'Centurion: Defender of Rome'. No other valid reasoning to back up my choice however.
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  25. #25
    Praefectus Fabrum Senior Member Anime BlackJack Champion, Flash Poker Champion, Word Up Champion, Shape Game Champion, Snake Shooter Champion, Fishwater Challenge Champion, Rocket Racer MX Champion, Jukebox Hero Champion, My House Is Bigger Than Your House Champion, Funky Pong Champion, Cutie Quake Champion, Fling The Cow Champion, Tiger Punch Champion, Virus Champion, Solitaire Champion, Worm Race Champion, Rope Walker Champion, Penguin Pass Champion, Skate Park Champion, Watch Out Champion, Lawn Pac Champion, Weapons Of Mass Destruction Champion, Skate Boarder Champion, Lane Bowling Champion, Bugz Champion, Makai Grand Prix 2 Champion, White Van Man Champion, Parachute Panic Champion, BlackJack Champion, Stans Ski Jumping Champion, Smaugs Treasure Champion, Sofa Longjump Champion Seamus Fermanagh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Quote Originally Posted by A Nerd View Post
    Scipio. Liked his ever since I played 'Centurion: Defender of Rome'. No other valid reasoning to back up my choice however.
    Sounds like you're ready to vote in the general elections.
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  26. #26
    Member Member Caesar the IIIV's Avatar
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    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    Hannibal by far, I mean, his ability to get elephants through the Alps, and actually get NEAR Rome was a great achievement.
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  27. #27

    Default Re: Greatest Generals. 270 B.C - 14 A.D

    I think Surena of Parthia should be included. Coward tactics but still he got the job done against the romans.

    I know by writing this someone will say that crassus was just a fool and maybe he was but victory is mostly gained by the mistakes of the enemy.

    There are also alot of others who should be included but i voted Hannibal even if i believe his father was just as good by fighting the Romans in sicily for several years with inferior troops and the winning the mercenary war for carthage and expanded in iberia and therefor giving Hannibal the ability to do what he did.

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