Who is the greatest military leader of the medieval period?

My vote went to Belisarius, not only because he almost singlehandedly led the East-Roman empire to it's largest ever territorial expansion,thereby defeating the two most vigorous Germanic tribes the Ostrogoths and the Vandals, but also he seems to have been a decent chap, unlike his two great Byzantine contemporaries and rivals Justinian and Narses, the Eunuch.

Originally posted by Komnenos My vote went to Belisarius, not only because he almost singlehandedly led the East-Roman empire to it's largest ever territorial expansion,thereby defeating the two most vigorous Germanic tribes the Ostrogoths and the Vandals, but also he seems to have been a decent chap, unlike his two great Byzantine contemporaries and rivals Justinian and Narses, the Eunuch.

sounds like an interesting fellow. would you have some good links on him?

Belisarius was surely the best commander of the Eastern Roman Empire (or any Roman commander), and an interesting character nontheless. Few commanders had such a distinguished career in arms, and at the same time such an unfortunate ending. By the end of his career, Iustinian grew fearful of his power even though he remained loyal throughout his life. But due to such politics, he was reduced to a beggar by the end. The tragic fall of his career gave way to rumors that he Iustinian had him blinded. Belisarius also had an absolutely terrible love life. Gibbons calls him "blessed in war, cursed in love"

Anyhow, there are too many people that would qualify for the nomination.

Among those listed, I chose Timur Lenk (Tamerlane) because no other military leader commanded such fear as he did, and defeated so many neighboring states. As "Prince of destruction" Genghis Khan pales compared to Tamerlane. However, he was by no means the best leader in both military and statesmanship.

Nuno �lvares Pereira, the Holy Constable of Portugal. Too nationalistic a choise? Well.... yeah. Got a problem?

Edited by Frederick Roger

Originally posted by Imperator Invictus Few commanders had such a distinguished career in arms, and at the same time such an unfortunate ending. By the end of his career, Iustinian grew fearful of his power even though he remained loyal throughout his life. But due to such politics, he was reduced to a beggar by the end. The tragic fall of his career gave way to rumors that he Iustinian had him blinded.

The story that Belisarius ended as a blind beggar is, what we would call these days, an "urban myth."
Modern historians seem to agree that he died as a retired army officer on a modest pension on some estate in Anatolia at the age of sixty, with full eyesight.

Edited by Komnenos

My vote goes to the Scourge of God (Attila).  Who else could have brought the varied forces together to take on the Roman Empire and bring it to its knees?  However, he let success slip through his hands too easily.  Imagine how different things would be today if he could have maintained his dominance.

Originally posted by Dawn Originally posted by Komnenos Originally posted by Dawn sounds like an interesting fellow. would you have some good links on him? As you are such an avid reader, there is a novel about him by Robert Graves, author of "I, Claudius". It's called "Count Belisarius". I'll have to take a look for that one. thanks

 

Look also "Justinian and Theodora" by Robert Browning

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0500250995/002 -6558999-4324058?v=glance

My vote goes to Philip II Augustus

How about 300.000 Celtic civillians Caesar murdered???

Oh it's not terrorism, it's only the greatness of Rome

I though Gauls fought against Attila at Chalons along with the Visigoths, Franks, Romans, Saxons, Burgundians, Alans ect......