In our March 2006 issue we asked our readers to select the greatest conqueror of all time in our Reader Challenge. We have selected the top 5 submissions for publishing on our website. You decide whether they found the greatest of the great…
Who Was the Greatest Conqueror of All Time?
–Doug Caffey, CA submitted Hannibal Barca
Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan and Napoleon would have to be on any such list. All four controlled their governments, supply lines and political environments. While Genghis Khan probably conquered the most territory, his military opponents were weak and unorganized and it is hard to name a famous battle that he won against equal or superior forces.
Considering many factors, however, Hannibal Barca would be the top candidate for the greatest conqueror and military commander in history! Consider the following facts:
He was purely a military commander and did not control his government, which was little help in supplying his army or in forging supporting political alliances.
Aside from military battles, his crossing of the Alps and keeping his army together was one of the greatest feats in ancient warfare.
Unlike, Alexander, Caesar, Genghis Khan or Napoleon, Hannibal’s army was a polyglot of tribes speaking a variety of languages and otherwise having little in common. Only Hannibal’s genius for leadership could have forged these groups into an effective army.
Hannibal’s opponent, Rome’s Legions, were the greatest army and fighting force of its day.
For almost 15 years Hannibal ran wild in Italy, without any help or supplies from Cathage, and in the process destroyed a number of Roman armies and captured or killed multiple Roman generals. During this almost 15-year period, Hannibal was never defeated in a major battle.
Hannibal’s opponent, after the first few battles, refused to meet him in open combat and followed him from a safe distance. In no other case in history has the strongest military power of its day, having its country invaded, refused to confront the occupying force due to overwhelming fear of military defeat.
Hannibal never lost a battle until Zama, where he was outmaneuvered politically due to Rome’s success in convincing Hannibal’s critical Numidian cavalry to switch sides and fight for Rome instead.
At the battle of Cannae, Hannibal’s forces effected the first double envelopment in recorded military history and killed 70,000 out of a Roman army of 86,000 in a little over one hour. Thus it could be said that Hannibal’s military genius, 2,161 years before the bombing of Hiroshima, as equal to an atomic bomb since approximately the same number of people were killed in the same period of time!
In conclusion, no other military commander in history, with less help from his country and no supply lines and little re-inforcements, won more battles and lost less against a stronger enemy, over a longer period of time, and struck more fear into his enemy than did Hannibal Barca! The only thing that saved the Roman Empire was a political miscalculation, meaning the various cities did not revolt against Rome as planned, as Hannibal’s military ability and genius overwhelmed the mighty Roman legions for almost 15 years without losing one single major battle!
I like all the articles except the one on Hannibal. What Hannibal does not have in common with those other four positions was that Hannibal did not defeat his greatest enemies. Although in Italy for 15 years, he was stuck there and despite his three greatest victories over Rome, the Romans were still fighting. Hannibal didn’t win his war. Napoleon, on the other hand, fought many wars and constantly forced his rivalries to admit defeat. This is about the greatest conquerors and Hannibal did not conquer.
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Wow! I really enjoyed reading this article on Hannibal. Thanks for the time and research!
I like all the articles except the one on Hannibal. What Hannibal does not have in common with those other four positions was that Hannibal did not defeat his greatest enemies. Although in Italy for 15 years, he was stuck there and despite his three greatest victories over Rome, the Romans were still fighting. Hannibal didn’t win his war. Napoleon, on the other hand, fought many wars and constantly forced his rivalries to admit defeat. This is about the greatest conquerors and Hannibal did not conquer.