New semester, new classes, and (hopefully) new me! Today, I want to discuss a topic which has always fascinated me, but a topic which has recently made its way into my formal education (which I am beyond stoked about, too!) as a result of “Military History”, a course offering here at North. While I would normally sit here and give you the rundown of what I am about to discuss, I’ve decided to cut out my nerdy dialogue and get straight into the meat of this blog. With only this last sentence to delay, I present to you my top 5 generals of all time:

5. George Washington (United States of America)

While many would consider him one of America’s greatest (if not the greatest) President throughout our nation’s short history, not many know the military genius which lay beneath that glorious, powdered hair of his. In fact, many would regard him as quite a poor tactician on the battlefield, and not without reason, either. Numerous times, such as during the many engagements he fought against the British surrounding New York, he would position his troops in such a manner as to leave them vulnerable to flanking—a huge red flag when it came to war in the American Revolutionary Era. However, this is not where his military genius stems from. Washington was the prime example of a true strategist, possessing critical knowledge of his enemy, and, therefore, how to wage war in such a manner as to target his opponent’s weaknesses and shortcomings. Eventually, he came to realize his tactical inability in the field, and embraced the role of a strategist instead, organizing large-scale campaigns and logistical efforts so as to keep the Continental Army in fighting shape (note: strategy refers to plans aimed at victory, while tactics are the individual maneuvers and actions which get are necessary in executing a strategy).

4. Genghis Khan (Mongol Empire)

As almost single-handedly pioneering history’s second largest empire at a time when modern technology was nowhere to be seen, Genghis Khan most definitely is a must-pick on any ranking involving military genius. Unlike George Washington, Genghis Khan knew how to win tactical victories, most notably through his innovative use of cavalry and terrain to his advantage—aware of the open plains of modern-day Russia, land which he desired to conquer, he ensured that an emphasis was placed on swift maneuver with logistics incorporated. His solution, though seemingly obvious in hindsight, was the use of cavalry on a much wider scale than any of the European armies at the time, even going so far as to create a newer, more technologically advanced form of the bow and arrow so as to suit the many horse archers amongst his ranks. The advent of mobile warfare owes many of its tactical keystones to the genius of Genghis Khan.

3. Alexander the Great (Macedonia)

In our early twenties, most of us would be completing our higher education, perhaps in the process of entering the workforce. Alexander, however, was busy bringing an empire to its knees. This was no ordinary empire either—in fact, it was the Persian Empire led by King Darius, the largest empire the ancient world had seen up to that point, spanning the entirety of the Middle East and spilling over into parts of North Africa and the Balkans. Of the two other generals discussed so far, Alexander possessed a unique trait—the ability to command boundless loyalty from his men, ensuring he had full tactical control over his troops when in battle. Though total control over decision-making might be of detriment to any ordinary general, Alexander did not fit the description of ordinary—as it turned out, he was a tactical genius of his own. One of his greatest displays of tactical skill came through his use of “defeat-in-detail” tactics, where he would ensure the largest, strongest portion of his army always did battle with the weakest, smallest portion of his opponent, thus guaranteeing victory no matter the total size of his army.

2. Hannibal (Carthage)

Hannibal Barca, most commonly referred to as simply Hannibal, was a mastermind of intelligence in warfare, using newly possessed knowledge of his foes to outwit, outmaneuver, and outfight them at every turn. Single-handedly, he almost toppled the early Roman Republic. His understanding of the Roman political system and the “consuls”, or leaders, which the republic elected every year gave him the upper-hand in nearly every engagement he took part in, even when facing the often larger, better-trained, and better-equipped Roman legions. Roman commanders and their armies were often hyper-aggressive, looking to gain as much glory and land as possible within their 1-year terms. As a result, Hannibal, on numerous occasions, led the Romans into a defensive trap, causing enormous casualties and crippling both the numerical strength and morale of Roman armies and citizens alike.

1. Napoleon (France)

Though probably a predictable choice for the number one spot, there is no denying the all-encompassing military genius which Napoleon possessed as a military leader. Like Alexander the Great, he commanded the unconditional loyalty of his troops,  transforming an army full of otherwise demotivated conscripts into a fierce, unrelenting fighting force. Like Genghis Khan, he emphasized mobility and maneuver warfare, making sure his army lived off the land rather than relying on cumbersome, momentum-battering supply trains. Like George Washington, he stressed the logistical independence of his troops, reorganizing his army into smaller corps systems with its own detachments of cavalry and artillery, ensuring they could move and fight independently. Finally, like Hannibal, he understood his enemies like no other—he knew the Prussian weapons were outdated, the British economy reliant on trade, and the Russian generals were hungry for pride. When you bundle all these qualities into a single man—Napoleon Bonaparte—you get the greatest military genius to walk the face of the Earth.