What are the 15 greatest warriors who changed the course of history?

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Throughout history, there have been many great people in various fields of human endeavor - from science to art, from philosophy to politics, from business to technology, but none of these greats have shed more blood than the greatest warriors in history. So take a deep breath and get ready to learn about 15 of the most brutal and talented warriors of all time.

1. Alaric Visigoth

Alaric was the king of the Visigoths who became famous for sacking Rome. Initially, he was an honorary Roman citizen and "master of the army", but then the Goths rebelled due to salary delays, declared Alaric king and marched on Rome. After the sack of Rome, Alaric led his troops south to Campania, taking Nola and Capua along the way.

The Visigoth king was heading for the Roman province of Africa, which provided Rome with bread, but a storm destroyed his ships, temporarily making it impossible to move troops. Only Mother Nature was able to defeat Alaric.

2. William Wallace

Thanks to "Braveheart" by Mel Gibson, William Wallace became famous all over the world, but those who know the history of Europe have heard before that what a great warrior the legendary Scotsman was.

Wallace is considered one of the most significant Scottish national heroes who fought to the death to free Scotland from English rule.

3. Yue Fei

During his 25 years of military career, Yue Fei fought 126 battles, mainly in central China, and never lost a single battle. In addition, he has managed to build a truly outstanding career from the ordinary soldier to the commander-in-chief of the Imperial forces.

He also invented many styles of martial arts and wrote a bunch of epic poems about how he is going to "kick your enemies asses." Today, Yue Fei is considered a national hero in China, as well as the main symbol of integrity, patriotism and loyalty.

4. Eric Bloodax

Eric the Bloodaxe was a Norwegian prince and the last independent king of York. He became king of the Northumbrians twice, in 947 and 952.

Eric was considered one of the most legendary names in Viking history for his incredible skill, battlefield courage and warlike spirit.

5. Vlad the Impaler

Very few people in history have instilled more terror in human hearts than Vlad the Impaler or, as he became better known, Count Dracula. The ruler of Wallachia, who became a legend and was considered at one time (and after the novel by Bram Stoker and the film based on him) the Lord of Darkness, was a real person and a truly outstanding warrior. He was born in 1431 in Transylvania, the central region of modern Romania, and ruled for many years.

Vlad's victories over the Ottoman Empire, which invaded this region, were appreciated not only in his native Romania, but throughout Europe. For example, there are records that even Pope Pius II was impressed by his skill and fighting spirit. Vlad was remembered as the "Impaler" because he did not spare his enemies. He did plant prisoners on stakes to intimidate his opponents, and also, according to legend, drank their blood.

READ ALSO: 20 little-known facts about Vlad Tepes, known as the bloodthirsty Count Dracula

6. Sun Tzu

During the unprecedented political and military unrest in China (the "period of the Warring States", V-II centuries BC), Sun Tzu became a military strategist, whose works are still being studied in military institutions.

He was recognized as a legend after he wrote a book on Chinese military strategy and martial arts called The Art of War.

READ ALSO: Ancient China: 10 Weird But Powerful Ways to Wage War

7. Scipio African

Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus the Elder was one of the most talented and successful Roman commanders in history. He managed to defeat Hannibal at the Battle of Zama during the Second Punic War.

Despite the fact that Scipio was one hundred percent Roman, since his most outstanding victory was in Africa, after the triumph he was given the nickname "African". He later received the nickname "Asiatic" when he fought under the leadership of his brother Lucius Cornelius Scipio against Antiochus III of Syria in the Seleucid War.

8. Spartacus

Undoubtedly the most famous and skillful gladiator in history was Spartacus, who led the slave and gladiator rebellion in Italy in 73-71. BC.

He led the largest slave uprising (his army numbered from 70 to 120 thousand people) against the Roman Republic. No other person terrorized the powerful republic like he did.

9. Hannibal Barca

Hannibal was born in 247 BC. in Carthage (the capital of today's Tunisia), at a time when his country lost a protracted and very important war with Rome, losing many territories. When he grew up, he was able to fully take revenge on the old enemy, winning these and other territories from Rome.

It is believed that Hannibal was one of the greatest generals and military leaders of the ancient world and a brilliant strategist who developed tactics for flanking and encircling the enemy with combined forces of infantry and cavalry. His wars with the Roman Empire were among the most epic in antiquity.

10. Pyrrhus

The king of Epirus, Pyrrhus, managed to arrange a real hell for the Romans. He was the first and only threat to Rome during its heyday as an empire. In fact, he was the only person to crush the Roman legions over and over again.

Some historians believe that history would have been different if Pyrrhus had not been killed in Argos. Hannibal Barca considered him the best general and greatest warrior-king in history. After some of his battles, Pyrrhus's losses were so enormous (despite the victory) that they gave rise to the term Pyrrhic victory, which is still used today.

11. Richard the Lionheart

Richard was the King of England who later became known as the "Lionheart" for his exploits in the Third Crusade. Interestingly, during his ten-year reign, he spent only six months at home, in England.

Richard was described as an extremely skilled warrior who did not spare his enemies and led others with an example of extraordinary courage. No wonder he was nicknamed "The Lion's Heart".

12. Miyamoto Musashi

Musashi was an invincible Japanese ronin (samurai without a lord or master) who is considered one of the most famous swordsmen in history. He became a legend mainly because of his outstanding sword skills and numerous duels, fought from the age of thirteen. He was the founder of the Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu or Niten-ryu style of fencing.

Towards the end of his life, after perfecting his two-sword fighting style to perfection, Musashi retired to a cave on Mount Kimpo and wrote The Book of Five Rings on tactics, strategy, and philosophy of the art of war. He is considered by many historians and experts to be the greatest swordsman in history.

13. Julius Caesar

Guy Julius Caesar is perhaps the most famous and successful Roman statesman and general in history. He led the army of Rome in numerous victorious battles that expanded the territory of the Republic.

His military adventures have been described in numerous writings, thanks to which contemporaries learned about his genius and bravery on the battlefield.

14. Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan conquered a quarter of the world's population, founded the largest continental (with adjacent territory) empire in history and is considered one of the greatest conquerors of all time.

His people believed that Genghis Khan was the greatest man of all time and that he was sent from heaven. This is why he was also known as the "Holy Warrior".

15. Alexander the Great

Although he died at the age of thirty-three, the famous Greek (or more precisely, Macedonian) king managed to conquer most of the world known at the time, which is why most historians consider him the greatest military leader who ever lived. He personally fought on the front lines in every battle (unlike many other rulers who simply watched the battles of their troops).

Alexander remained undefeated and conquered all the major states of his time such as Persia, India and Egypt, among others, and he was the first ruler to spread Greek and therefore Western civilization to other parts of the world.

And in continuation of the theme, a story about how Alexander the Great arranged an alcoholic competition and why it ended badly.