The Great Captains of History - How Many Battles?

Tiberius Caesar said:

Corbulo drove Cornelius Fidus, Ovid's son-in-law, to tears because he called him 'plucked ostrich'. Admittedly it's not clear whether that is Corbulo himself or Corbulo's father, still funny though. And savage. Very savage.

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How am I just seeing this now? And why doesn't it have more likes?

Homie123 said:

How am I just seeing this now? And why doesn't it have more likes?

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Indeed, I should add one more engagement to Corbulo's tally.

- Engagement with Cornelius Fido (Burn)

arrhidaeus said:

Khalid,

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Um, excuse me but alexander had no legacy worth mentioning. Khalid was largely responsible for the rise f the greatest civilization in history. Both were amazing commanders, but Alexander can only just compare with Hannibal, let alone Khalid. Also, can someone please remember Han Xin?

DiocletianIsBetterThanYou said:

This thread is about number of engagements, not legacy, but Alexander did have a significant legacy (there were the Hellenistic empires, and the Hellenistic/Alexandrian language of rulership influenced the development of Roman emperorship, and Rome also repeatedly used Alexander as the yardstick for greatness when it came to war with the Persians). Han Xin and Khalid were excellent commanders (and I have often argued that Han Xin was excellent), but repeatedly asserting that they were obviously better than Alexander, Hannibal, etc, is probably going to provoke negative reactions to Han Xin and Khalid, not positive reactions. Han Xin and Khalid were great, but so were Alexander, Caesar, Hannibal, etc, and it is by no means clear who was the greatest, since they all operated in different historical circumstances, and there are many ways in which one can measure greatness (after all, you went with legacy). It's also not a scientific or mathematical question (this thread is about number of engagements, but this particular measurement isn't being used to determine who was the greatest general). Alexander - like Khalid and Han Xin - was indeed one of the greatest ancient commanders, and people on this forum are unlikely to take seriously any attempts to deny that.

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Yeah, I'm not trying to deny that Alexander wasn't one of the GOATS in military history, I just felt that Khalid was being underrated. As for the others mentioned, Julius Caesar was straight down phenomenal and Hannibal is definitely in my top 3. Both would make excellent opponents for Han Xin. As for Khalid bin Walid, I haven't studied his tactics enough to decide how they'd fare against him, but it would definitely be a good competition

Samuraistuff03 said:

Yeah, I'm not trying to deny that Alexander wasn't one of the GOATS in military history, I just felt that Khalid was being underrated. As for the others mentioned, Julius Caesar was straight down phenomenal and Hannibal is definitely in my top 3. Both would make excellent opponents for Han Xin. As for Khalid bin Walid, I haven't studied his tactics enough to decide how they'd fare against him, but it would definitely be a good competition

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I personally rate Han Xin and Hannibal as slightly above the others due to the quality of the opposition they faced. Caesar and Khalid bin Walid are next with Alexander a bit behind. If we are talking legacies though, I don't think anyone can top Alexander who left literally dozens of cities that still bear his name and a Hellenic civilization that lasted for centuries.

People like Subutai and CaoCao are also way up above everyone else as battle commanders, I would rate them higher if we had more explicit details of not just the victories but also the defeats or undecided battles- especially in CaoCao's case where a certain style of histriography is very present in how details were passed down, however in terms of legacy I would put CaoCao and Napoleon following closely behind Alexander.

Apparently I need to study Dragut more, I am aware of the name and have an abidding interest in the naval affairs around that time in history but I've neglected searching out more information on him specifically.

Ichon said:

I personally rate Han Xin and Hannibal as slightly above the others due to the quality of the opposition they faced. Caesar and Khalid bin Walid are next with Alexander a bit behind. If we are talking legacies though, I don't think anyone can top Alexander who left literally dozens of cities that still bear his name and a Hellenic civilization that lasted for centuries.

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I think the three greatest generals of all time were Khalid bin Walid, Han Xin and Hannibal Barca in that order. I can see why you'd put khalid beneath the other two though, because a lot of the time you have to split the credit between in him and abu Ubaidah ibn al Jarrah

Military Career of Napoleon Bonaparte (updated)

War of the First Coalition
1. 13 Vendemiare
2. Battle of Montenotte
3. Battle of Millesimo
4. Second Battle of Dego
5. Battle of Ceva
6. Battle of Mondovi
7. Battle of Fombio
8. Battle of Lodi
9. Battle of Borghetto
10. Siege of Mantua
11. Battle of Lonato
12. Battle of Castiglione
13. Battle of Rovereto
14. Battle of Bassano
15. Battle of San Giorgio (Austrians attempt to lift the siege of Mantua but were repelled)
16. Second Battle of Bassano (X)
17. Battle of Caldiero (-)
18. Battle of Arcole
19.First Battle of Rivoli
20. Second Battle of Rivoli
21. Battle of La Favorite
22. Battle of Valvasone
23. Battle of Tarvis

Mediterranean campaign and subsequent French invasion of Egypt
24. French invasion and assault of Malta
25. Battle of Alexandria
26. Battle of Shubra Khit
27. Battle of the Pyramids
28. Suppressed revolt at Cairo
29. Siege of El Arish
30. Siege of Jaffa
31. Siege of Acre (X)
32. Battle of Mount Tabor
33. Battle of Abukir

War of the Second Coalition
34. Combat at Turbigo
35. Skirmish at Aosta
36. Siege of Fort Bard
37. Battle of Marengo

War of the Third Coalition
38. Battle of Ulm
39. Battle of Austerlitz

War of the Fourth Coalition
40. Battle of Jena-Auerstedt
41. Battle of Czarnowo
42. Battle of Jonkowo
43. Battle of Hof
44. Battle of Eylau (-)
45. Battle of Heilsburg (-)
46. Battle of Friedland

Engagements during Peninsular War
47. Battle of Somosierra
48. Conquest of Madrid

War of the Fifth Coalition
49. Battle of Abensburg
50. Battle of Landshut
51. Battle of Eckmuhl
52. Battle of Ratisbon
53. Battle of Aspern Essling (X)
54. Battle of Wagram
55. Battle of Znaim, tactical victory

Invasion of Russia....damn
56. Battle of Vitebsk
57. Battle of Smolensk
58. Battle of Shevardino
59. Battle of Borodino
60.Battle of Krasnoi (X)
61. Battle of Berezina

War of the Sixth Coalition
62. Battle of Lutzen
63. Battle of Bautzen
64. Battle of Reichenbach
65. Battle of Dresden
66. Battle of Berggiesshubel
67. Battle of Peterswalde
68. Battle of Dolnitz
69. Battle of Leipzig (X)
70. Battle of Hanau
71. Battle of Brienne
72. Battle of La Rothiere (X)
73. Battle of Champaubert
74. Battle of Montmirail
75. Battle of Chateau Thierry
76. Battle of Vauchamps
77. Battle of Mormant
78. Battle of Montereau
79. Battle of Berry-au-Bac
80. Battle of Craonne
81. Battle of Laon (X)
82. Battle of Reims
83. Battle of Arcis sur Aube (X)
84. Battle of Saint Dizier

War of the Seventh Coalition
85. Action at Fleurus
86. Battle of Ligny
87. Battle of Waterloo (X)

Engagements: 87
Wins: 75
Losses: 9
Losses: 3
Win rate: 86.21 percent.

Added entry 15. This brings Napoleon's initial win streak to a nice round 15 engagements won before he lost for the first time.

DiocletianIsBetterThanYou said:

Nice work, but this should be in Version 2

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Oh, sorry. Is it okay if I already linked this post to the table in version 2?

Does anyone dare to do a tally of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and probably end up with 3 billion sieges?
I for one, do not
oh, sorry, I thought I was looking at v. 2

Samuraistuff03 said:

Does anyone dare to do a tally of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and probably end up with 3 billion sieges?
I for one, do not
oh, sorry, I thought I was looking at v. 2

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I am already working on it. Honestly I might do that one before Oda Nobunaga or Uesugi Kenshin.

Lord Oda Nobunaga said:

I am already working on it. Honestly I might do that one before Oda Nobunaga or Uesugi Kenshin.

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I will post Zhao Yun and/or Guan Yu hopefully tomorrow.

Homie123 said:

Military Career of Frederick the Great

First Silesian War
1. Took control of Breslau
2. Took over fortress of Ohlau
3. Siege of Neisse
4. Battle of Mollwitz (X)
5. Siege of Brieg
6. Seizure of Iglau
7. Siege of Brunn (X)
8. Battle of Chotusitz

Second Silesian War
9. Siege of Prague
10-12. Occupied Tabor, Budweis and Frauenberg
13. Forced to give up Prague and pull out of Bohemia due to harassment of suuply lines and failure to force a decisive engagement against Austrians. (X)
14. Battle of Hohenfriedberg
15. Battle of Soor
16. Battle of Hennersdorf

Third Silesian War
17. Occupied Dresden.
18. Battle of Lobositz (-)
19. Siege of Pima
20. Battle of Prague
21. Battle of Kolin (X)
22. Siege of Prague (X)
23.Battle of Rossbach
24. Battle of Leuthen
25. Siege of Breslau (1757)
26. Siege of Schweidnitz (1758)
27. Siege of Olomouc (X)
28. Battle of Zorndorf
29. Battle of Hochkirch (X)
30. Broke siege of Neisse
31. Battle of Kunersdorf (X)
32. Siege of Dresden (X)
33. Battle of Liegnitz
34. Battle of Torgau
35. Battle of Burkersdorf
36. Siege of Schweidnitz (1762)


War of the Bavarian Succession
37. Occupied Nachod

Engagements: 37
Wins: 27
Losses: 9
Indecisive: 1
Win rate: 72.97 percent

I considered the Battle of Mollwitz a defeat despite it being a Prussian victory as Frederick thought the battle was lost and fled away from it leaving a Prussian general in charge of the army who ended up winning the battle for the Prussians. Frederick returned to the field after the battle had already been won.

I considered the Battle of Lobositz as indecisive as Browne had successfully prevented Frederick from invading Bohemia while also keeping his army largely intact however Frederick also forced Browne and his army to withdraw fron the battlefield. Hence why I consider it to be an indecisive battle.

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I would add in all fairness that Frederick was part of a triumvirate in the Seven Years war.Failure to include his cavalry commander Von Seydlitz and his artillery commander Von Moller would be a disservice to both men.These three in essence made the Prussian army complete and turned it into the efficient and feared fighting machine their enemies came to rue.Seldom does a commander have such extraordinarily competent subordinates - both his right hand men.

baba yagas hut said:

I would add in all fairness that Frederick was part of a triumvirate in the Seven Years war.Failure to include his cavalry commander Von Seydlitz and his artillery commander Von Moller would be a disservice to both men.These three in essence made the Prussian army complete and turned it into the efficient and feared fighting machine their enemies came to rue.Seldom does a commander have such extraordinarily competent subordinates - both his right hand men.

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Yeah, but Frederick was in command so they were his battles and that's what we consider here.

Homie123 said:

Military Career of Eugene of Savoy

Nine Years' War
1. Battle of Staffarda (-)

Great Turkish War
2. Battle of Zenta
3. Raid of Bosnia
4. Sack Sarajevo

War of the Spanish Succession
5. Battle of Carpi
6. Battle of Chiari
7. Reduced Duchy of Mantua
8. Occupied Mirandola
9. Occupied Guastalia
10. Blockaded Goito
11. Battle of Cremona (-)
12. Battle of Luzzara (-)
13. Battle of Blenheim
14. Battle of Cassano (-)
15. Siege of Turin
16. Reoccupied Nice
17. Siege of Toulon (X)
18-20. Defeated remaining Fremch garrisons in Piedmont, including Susa (3 engagements including Susa?)
21. Siege of Lille
22. Took fortress of Le Quesnoy
23. Battle of Denain (X)
24. Siege of Landrecies (X)

Austro-Turkish War
25. Battle of Petrovaradin
26. Captured Banat fortress
27. Siege of Belgrade
28. Battle of Belgrade

War of the Polish Succession
29. Siege of Philippsburg (X)

Engagements: 29
Wins: 21
Losses: 4
Indecisive: 4
Win rate: 72.413 percent

I have decided to include entry number 1 due to Eugene's vital role of safely withdrawing what remained of the allied army of Spain and the Duchy of Savoy. Although the battle is overall a defeat, Eugene's objective during it was to withdraw the army from the devastating French assault, which he was able to do, pbviously not without losses. This is why I have decided to pur it as indecisive, as limiting the objectives of the battle to as far as Eugene's command is cincerned, he performed quite well given the circumstances.

For certain battles in the Spanish War of Succession, I have decided to exclude as the Duke of Marlborough was the overall commander of those battles and Eugene's input, whilst having some sway in how the battles went or the plans were formed, were still of little importance in comparison to Marlborough's input. A good example of this would be the Battle of Oudenarde, Marlborough was the one who assigned Eugene control of the right flank and finalized the placements of the allied army units. In addition to that, Eugene acted exactly according to how Marlborough had instructed him.

For the Battle of Blenheim, however, the role of Eugene was too prominent to not include in his military career. He took on the combined forces of Maximilian and Marsin and was even able to hold his own against them in the intial stages of battle, allowing Marlborough to focus on his side of the battlefield. Eugene even prevented Marsin from sending reinforcements to Tallard which helped the Allied cause immensely.

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He was also defeated at Toulon in 1807.