Hannibal (247-183? BC)

Caused unserpassed distruction to the roman empire!

carin

Scipio was no equal to Hannibal. He was his superior. Amazing how many excuses are made for Hannibal at Zama. Fact is, Scipio chose the battlefield, Hannibal had numerical superiority by roughly 20,000 men and he still lost. And for all that he is said to have "nearly won" the respective casualties, 28,000 Carthagians vs 1,500 Romans tells a different story. Hannibal lost half his army and most of his elephants crossing the Alps and didn't truly gain what was his sole purpose in doing it, surprise - the Romans were able to send army after army at him. He did brilliantly well at defeating them though, for which he gets four stars. Scipio gets my five. Not allowed his crack Spnish troops, given disgraced soldiers in Sicily and raw recruits, refused money and military support by the senate he built his own fleet, trained up his own army, invaded Africa, kicked the crap out of Syphax, forced Hannibal to come home and face him, kicked the crap out of Hannibal and was the victor of the Secon... Read more

one of the best field commanders in history considering the scale of his victories and the quality of his opponents. there are few men capable of taken elephants across the alps. he was the military idol of both wellington and napolian

hannibal survived for 15 year in hostile territory against the greatest power of world

Grouper noted that Scipio-Africanus wasn't on this list even though he defeated Hannibal. That's because he was no equal to Hannibal. Hannibal was in a position where though the only allowable outcome for his country was victory, the only possible outcome was defeat. Hannibal had spent all of his early career manhandling the Roman armies. He outwitted, outmanuevered, and just plain ousted every Roman he encountered. During his final military campaign he brilliantly led his massive armies through Spain, France, and numerous mountains in order to surprise the Romans by attacking from an unexpected direction. His army consisted of some of a melting pot of Celts, Spainards, Numidians, and Carthaginian soldiers as well as war elephants, which were every bit as frightening to a Roman soldier as anything else in the world. After a couple major defeats, the Romans put forth their best foot by matching up 50,000 men at Cannae to Hannibal's 40,000. As the fighting started, Hannibal's calvary ... Read more

Greatest leader ever. Fought the greatest armies in the ancient world and slaughtered them, even outnumbered, on more than 3 occasions.

i judge him by results. and he lost.

Gauged by what he succeeded for 15 years against a foe, in that foe's territory, who's dominion could muster 3/4 million men, coupled with the fact he inflicted history's perfect setpiece battle at Cannae, Hannibal is history's greatest general. He simply was not supported efficiently in 215 B.C., when Carthage had the monopoly of control of Sicily. Hannibal came from a state that was more interested in commerce than war, whic led to their destruction at the hands of a growing imperial power. imperial power. The terrific general who defeated him, Scipio, won because of his superior army, not because Hannibal was outgeneraled in any sense. Hannibal used his raw recriuts to absorb Scipio's legions towards his Old Guard, his veteran group. Hannibal kept his infantry lines deep to prevent envelopment. In a stalemate in which Scipio was in a more dangerous position, the much superior Numidians, now allied with Rome, and Roman cavalry drove down on hannibal's rear. Not all the cunning and g... Read more

I don't care if he crossed the Swiss Alps by llama or elephant...he had a serious set of 'balls'. He threatened the Roman Army with a determination that has been virtually unmatched since that time.

I think the guy that said that Caesar Conquered half the earth. That is very wrong. And I would like to ask if none of you know that Cannae is considered as one of the graetest victories ever. So I think that Hannibal beats every one else in that sinse.

Note that Scipio Africanus- the Roman General who soundly defeated Hannible is not on this list

Started the Salient tactic that is still used today because it was so effective in the Punic Wars.

Most records of Hannibal came from the Romans who were not exactly emphatically behind this Carthaginian. He was one of the greatest military geniuses the world has ever seen. He almost defeated the Roman army at the zenith of her power. His exploits during the Second Punic War are what made him legendary. He decided that he would invade Rome by way of the overland route around the Pyrenees and into Italy by way of the Alps. The Romans were expecting Hannibal's invasion to come by way of the sea, since he was coming from Carthage in North Africa. He famously crossed the Alps with elephants and a baggage train full of supplies, one of the greatest feats of ancient military history. Hannibal made it to Italy because of his superior cavalry, but the Romans managed to stop him as his approached the capital. Then Hannibal switched tactics by causing internal dissention throughout all Italy; the South allied with him against the Romans. But the tide began to turn against Hannibal; he tried t... Read more

A brilliant mind, and for all you homophobes out there, like most of the other genius military minds of Greece and Rome, a flaming homosexual.

He ran rampant all over Rome. Had his army had seige equipment they would've sacked rome. As it was I believe he one every battle he fought in the 2nd punic war, he was in Italy around 20 yrs and didn't loose. He finally lost when he went back to carthage and was defeated be scipio africanus. Also he became a merc general afterwards and during one naval battle he launched poisonus snakes on the enemies boats so he could keep them after the enemy abandoned ship. Brilliant

Easily one of the best military leaders to walk the Earth. The only one who was possibly better than him was Alexander. He made Rome totally rethink there military strategy, because he was far too superior for them. Every battle where he was under manned or trained he used his superior strategy and dominated. He deserves to be with Alexander or right behind him. This man was Rome's most dangerous enemy in all history. He withstood the greatest nation of all time. For those of you who would like to rate him down for your small knowledge on his battles, read something.

Hannibal almost deafeated the huge roman armies. A brilliant military strategist and tactician who, with his 40,000 men and 30 or so elephants, gave Rome a run for their money.

Hannibal is one of the 7 Great Captains of History. Twelve years behind enemy lines, completely un-supported and shunned by his supposed "home government", yet the Romans could do nothing to stop him. Imagine if he had been a Roman General; Rome would have conquered the world about 300 years ahead of schedule.

The true mark of a great leader/general/coach in my opinion is who does the most with the least. There is no doubt that in this case Hannibal foots the bill as a 5-star general - he pushed the Romans to the brink despite being outmanned, outsupplied, etc.

Hannibal was a genius on the open battle field, he crush the enemy with an inferior force and minimal losses. through this, he maintained troop moral while massive portions of his army were dieing in the alps. he was an inceadible military leader.

Hannibal is the greatest millitary leader of all time. His genius was proven time and again as was his bravado even up to his death.

Can't forget Cannae.

Hannibal, to my understanding was a great leader, howver, he wasn't the best. He is now at the number one spot, but after my review hopefully it will push him down. He lead many people through the mounatins. So what? Caesar conquered half the earth.

Hannibal was the only person who challenged the power of Rome at its height of world domination. His great strategical moves of travelling over the Alps with elephants are pure genius. He and the Carthaginians nearly defeated Rome in the Second Punic War. They had them in "check" if it was a game of chess.

Of all the military leaders,the Carthaginian Hannibal most impressed and inspired me as a youngster-history lessons were never more mesmerising!Not only did he completely wrong-foot the Romans with his extraordinarily audacious attack from the rear,leading his army and elephants over the Alps,but achieved dazzling victories(between 218-216 B.C.)at Trebia,Trasimene and Cannae,coming close to inflicting overall defeat on the great Empire,in its own heart.He was thwarted by the adoption of Fabian tactics(a form of early guerilla warfare,avoiding large battles against his genius),and hampered by lack of further support from Carthage and potential allies.But he gave the legendary legions a mighty shock!

From the little that I know of Hannibal, his crossing of the Alps to attack the Roman army is considered one of the greatest military accomplishments of all time. He took something like 40,000 men (and a bunch of elephants!) and not only made it over the mountains but beat the crap out of the Romans.