Genghis Khan vs Hannibal vs Khalid ibn-walid - Historum

Wobomagonda · July 12th, 2009, 09:01 AM

Genghis Khan vs Hannibal Barca vs Khalid Ibn-Walid, who was the best of the 3 commander? give opinions, reasoning, and vote.

Vote results will be reflected in the list, assuming I post the poll correctly.

This vote is for spots 4,5, and 6.

Wobomagonda · July 12th, 2009, 09:04 AM

Note, these are the 3 generals generally agreed upon by the list topic, if you do not believe these men should be the 4-6 candidates, please post an objection with reasoning below.

**DIVUS IVLIVS** · July 13th, 2009, 04:07 PM

With all the hype over the Caesar-Napoleon-Alexander thread, not too surprised that this one has fallen by the wayside.

I voted for Genghis Khan. More than anything because he, more anyone else in history, deserves the title of organizational genius. His strategies were brilliant and inspiring, he was excellent at choosing his lieutenants, and he was no slouch when it came to tactics.

Khalid comes in second for me, but Hannibal is a very close third. Hannibal was a brilliant tactician, no doubt, and arguably the best logistician of all time. But he had two very serious faults: he was bad at sieges, and he never pursued broken foes. His strategy can be picked at a bit as well. So he falls behind slightly.

King of Rome · July 13th, 2009, 05:41 PM

Arent we kind of devalueing the other threads...

Wobomagonda · July 14th, 2009, 05:08 AM

no, people can go to them if they wish.

**Belisarius** · July 14th, 2009, 08:00 AM

So what did Khalid Ibn-Walid do that was so great?

**Belisarius** · July 14th, 2009, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIVUS IVLIVS

Hannibal was a brilliant tactician, no doubt, and arguably the best logistician of all time.

That's twice you've said that. Is this the same Hannibal that left his baggage behind in Spain, failed to allow for winter clothing when he got to the Alps and devastated the country south of the Volturnus to prevent the Romans invading the South while the Romans were simultaneously devastating the northern banks to prevent Hannibal from leaving the area. He painted himself into a corner and stayed there untill his recall? The man was a military idiot!

Jebusrocks · July 14th, 2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belisarius

So what did Khalid Ibn-Walid do that was so great?

He defeated the Byzantines and their Christian Allies, plus the Persians in a hundred battles. In all these hundred battles, he performed extraordinary talent, performing different tactics in most of his battles (i.e. at Walaja, he performed an envelopment much as that of Cannae, and at Yarmouk he performed what Alexander did with his cavalry at Gaugemela). Not only that, but the Arab states were relatively weak as it was a fledgling; and the fact that they went against not only the Persians, but the Byzantines (than arguably at their height, with arguably their best emperor, Heraclius)

However, can I change my vote from Khalid to Temujin? I acidently voted for Khalid

**DIVUS IVLIVS** · July 14th, 2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belisarius

That's twice you've said that. Is this the same Hannibal that left his baggage behind in Spain, failed to allow for winter clothing when he got to the Alps and devastated the country south of the Volturnus to prevent the Romans invading the South while the Romans were simultaneously devastating the northern banks to prevent Hannibal from leaving the area. He painted himself into a corner and stayed there untill his recall? The man was a military idiot!

Hey, I'm not saying that Hannibal was perfect (if you want someone to say that I suggest you read Dodge's book on him). As I said, his strategy was a bit spotty. But that shouldn't blot out the fact that the man did stay in enemy territory for more than 15 years and managed to maintain and provide for his army the entire time, a logistical feat nothing short of incredible. And some of his battles were very good tactically. The things you mention (as well as the other faults I'm fond of bringing up) are why I consider Scipio Africanus to be better.

**Belisarius** · July 14th, 2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIVUS IVLIVS

But that shouldn't blot out the fact that the man did stay in enemy territory for more than 15 years and managed to maintain and provide for his army the entire time, a logistical feat nothing short of incredible.

Since Hannibal stayed in the part of Italy that defected to him, I'd call that friendly territory.