Top 12 Renowned Military Commanders in World History

Alexander the Great was the son of King Philip II of Macedonia. In 336 BCE, he succeeded his father as ruler of the country and became one of the most famous kings of ancient times. His life was not only about years of warfare but also about a great interest in science and respect for scholars.

From a very young age, he showed great intelligence and insight. At the age of 18, during his first battle at Chaeronea, he demonstrated his true talent for leadership. At 20, Alexander ascended to the throne, and he embarked on a campaign against Greece, achieving great success. In 334 BCE, this young king led his army to Asia Minor, Egypt, and Libya. In Egypt, he founded a prosperous and grand city, the greatest of its time. After extensive military campaigns, Alexander the Great established an empire spanning across Asia, Europe, and Africa. His life was closely tied to the battlefield, yet his nature was not cruel but rather admired and loved by many.

Julius was not only a brilliant military commander but also a renowned writer and political activist of ancient Rome. Despite being born into a poor noble family and facing bankruptcy, he possessed slaves, wealth, influence, and immense ambition. In 62 BCE, he was appointed as Quaestor, later serving as Praetor for 2 years in Spain. Upon returning to Rome, aiming to consolidate his political position and secure the position of Consul, he formed alliances with the most powerful political and military figures of the time. In 49 BCE, he marched his army into Rome, sparking a civil war against Pompey.

Following his victorious civil war, he conquered Egypt and married the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Julius was one of the greatest military strategists of his time, his military artistry a blend of economic, political, and cultural factors.

Han Xin was a prominent general during the late Qin period in China, hailing from Huaiyin. Growing up in poverty, he endured hardships, often begging for food to survive. Due to the harsh governance policies of the Qin dynasty, discontent among the people led to numerous uprisings, including those led by Chen Sheng, Wu Guang, and Xiang Yu. In 208 BCE, Han Xin joined Xiang Liang's rebellion against the Qin. After Xiang Liang's death, Han Xin followed Xiang Yu, presenting his strategies but was not employed.

Consequently, he left Xiang Yu and joined Liu Bang, eventually rising to the position of Grand Marshal, commanding Liu Bang's army against Xiang Yu. Moreover, Han Xin helped Liu Bang build a disciplined and formidable army, earning the trust and support of the people. Throughout his military career, he played a significant role in Liu Bang's victories against the states of Wei, Zhao, Yan, Qi, and the destruction of Song. However, despite his military prowess, his life was marked by betrayals and conspiracies.

Tran Quoc Tuan was the son of An Sinh Vuong Tran Lieu and the grandson of King Tran Thai Tong, hailing from Nam Dinh province. He was a military genius of the nation, the commander who led the entire population to victory in the resistance against the Mongol invaders. Tran Quoc Tuan was beloved by the masses for his exceptional military capabilities, noble character, and unwavering patriotism. Additionally, he was one of the two Vietnamese generals recognized by the world.

Upon his death in 1300, the king posthumously bestowed upon him the title of Great Duke Hung Dao. The royal court erected a shrine in his honor at Van Kiep, Chi Linh, the village of his birth. The contributions to the nation made by Tran Quoc Tuan were immeasurable. Regarded as a paragon of virtue, revered by all, he was known as Great Duke Hung Dao. Tran Quoc Tuan was a national hero and a cultural luminary of Vietnam.

Thanh Cat Tu Han (Thiet Moc Chan), born into a family lineage of heroes and warriors, endured harsh days in his childhood. As he grew older, he managed to assemble a formidable force and became the leader of this army. In 1206, Thiet Moc Chan ascended to the throne as the Great Khan, known as Thanh Cat Tu Han. Leading an army of 13,000 men, consisting of skilled archers and brave cavalry, Thanh Cat Tu Han unleashed his cavalry to invade numerous countries in Asia and Europe.

He directly participated in 32 major battles and 65 minor skirmishes. The invasions led by Thanh Cat Tu Han were characterized by brutality and destruction. Nevertheless, he was a military genius, particularly in organizing armies, especially the cavalry. During that era, the cavalry of Thanh Cat Tu Han was regarded as the most formidable and skilled force in the world.

Napoleon Bonaparte was born on the island of Corsica. In 1784, he attended the School of Artillery, graduating as a Second Lieutenant. After the French bourgeois revolution of 1789, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a General at the young age of 24. In 1797, he defeated Austria, dismantling the anti-French coalition in Europe. In 1804, he transformed the French Republic into a monarchy, crowning himself as Emperor, known as Napoleon the First.

Upon assuming power, he embarked on a series of unjust conquests—a regrettable aspect of his military career. Nevertheless, he is still regarded as a remarkable military leader, renowned worldwide.

Kutuzov was a Russian military leader. At the age of 14, he graduated from the School of Guards, reserved for the noble offspring. In 1761, he was appointed as a lieutenant colonel and steadily rose through the ranks to become a general, tasked with establishing the Special Infantry Corps and participating in the Russo-Turkish War. During this conflict, he achieved significant victories and defeated the renowned general, Napoleon.

It was in this war that he demonstrated his exceptional military prowess along with sincere patriotism and unwavering fighting spirit. His life was dedicated to his country, earning him the affection of the people and the recognition as one of the greatest military commanders in the world.

Võ Nguyên Giáp hailed from Quang Binh province and began his military activities at the age of 14 in 1925. By 1929, he had joined the Indochinese Communist Party. On December 22, 1944, the Vietnam Propaganda Liberation Army was established, with Giap assuming command. Throughout his military career, he made significant contributions to the nation.

His accomplishments and talents are closely associated with the nation's liberation struggle, including the August Revolution, the Dien Bien Phu campaign, and Ho Chi Minh's campaigns. Giap, along with one other Vietnamese general, earned praise from numerous international friends. Upon his passing, the entire nation mourned deeply, filled with sorrow and affection.

Zhukov was raised in a poor peasant family in Russia, where he had to work from a young age to make a living. At the age of 19, he joined the Russian army and fought in World War I. After the October Revolution of 1917, he joined the Red Army, rising from a junior officer to Marshal of the armed forces.

After World War II, he was appointed as the Supreme Commander of the Soviet Army in Germany, the Chief of the Soviet Ground Forces, and the Deputy Minister of the Soviet Armed Forces. During the war, he made significant contributions to the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. He is also regarded as one of the most talented generals in world history.

Hannibal was a renowned Carthaginian general in ancient Greek history. At the age of 10, he accompanied his father in military campaigns in Spain. In 225 BC, he became the commander of a cavalry unit in Spain and rose to become the overall commander of the Carthaginian army in 221 BC.

In the Second Punic War against Rome, he demonstrated his strategic genius. The result was a resounding victory for the Carthaginian forces, securing his place in history books. Hannibal was one of the world's ancient generals, contributing significantly to the development of military art worldwide.

Triệu Vân, known as Tu Long, was a remarkable general during the Three Kingdoms period. In 200 AD, he joined Liu Bei's forces and achieved numerous outstanding accomplishments, including the Battle of Bạch Vọng, recapturing A Đẩu twice, advancing into Tây Xuyên, and playing a significant role in repelling Cao Cao's army. Described as tall, courageous, straightforward, and resolute, Triệu Vân earned Liu Bei's trust and was renowned as a brilliant and skilled general.

Triệu Vân was not only valiant in battle but also known for his integrity, calm demeanor, and unwavering dedication to his country. He was respected for his keen intellect and insightful thinking, adept at employing strategic maneuvers that rarely led to defeat in battle. Triệu Vân advocated for rewarding soldiers to strengthen the kingdom and advised against attacking Dong Wu, demonstrating not only exceptional martial prowess but also profound political acumen.

Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) was a prominent English political and military leader who played a crucial role in establishing the republic in England and later became the Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was one of the commanders of the new army forces that defeated royalist factions in the English Civil War.

According to the book 'Modern World History,' Oliver Cromwell is a legendary general in the history of England. He led the Ironsides to victory against the forces of the Stewart monarchy in the 17th-century English bourgeois revolution, executing King Charles I of England (1649). Subsequently, Cromwell conquered Ireland, Scotland, and became the Lord Protector governing England from 1653 until his death in 1658.