Russia has always been rich in outstanding commanders and naval commanders.
1. Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (ca. 1220 - 1263). - commander, at the age of 20 he defeated the Swedish conquerors on the Neva River (1240), and at 22 he defeated the German “dog knights” during the Battle of the Ice (1242)
2. Dmitry Donskoy (1350 - 1389). - commander, prince. Under his leadership, the greatest victory was won on the Kulikovo field over the hordes of Khan Mamai, which was an important stage in the liberation of Rus' and other peoples of Eastern Europe from the Mongol-Tatar yoke.
3. Peter I - Russian Tsar, an outstanding commander. He is the founder of the Russian regular army and navy. He showed high organizational skills and talent as a commander during the Azov campaigns (1695 - 1696) and in the Northern War (1700 - 1721). During the Persian campaign (1722 - 1723) under the direct leadership of Peter in the famous Battle of Poltava (1709), the troops of the Swedish king Charles XII were defeated and captured.
4. Fyodor Alekseevich Golovin (1650 - 1706) - count, general - field marshal, admiral. Companion of Peter I, greatest organizer, one of the founders of the Baltic Fleet
5 Boris Petrovich Sheremetyev (1652 - 1719) - count, general - field marshal. Member of the Crimean, Azov. He commanded the army in the campaign against the Crimean Tatars. In the battle of Eresphere, in Livonia, a detachment under his command defeated the Swedes and defeated Schlippenbach's army at Hummelshof (5 thousand killed, 3 thousand captured). The Russian flotilla forced the Swedish ships to leave the Neva for the Gulf of Finland. In 1703 he took Noteburg, and then Nyenschanz, Koporye, Yamburg. In Estland Sheremetev B.P. Wesenberg occupied. Sheremetev B.P. besieged Dorpat, which surrendered in 13 IL 1704. During the Astrakhan uprising, Sheremetev B.P. was sent by Peter I to suppress it. In 1705 Sheremetev B.P. took Astrakhan.
6 Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (1673-1729) - His Serene Highness Prince, associate of Peter I. Generalissimo of the naval and land forces. Participant in the Northern War with the Swedes, the battle of Poltava.
7. Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev (1725 - 1796) - count, general - field marshal. Participant in the Russian-Swedish war, the Seven Years' War. His biggest victories were won during the first Russian-Turkish war (1768 - 1774), especially in the battles of Ryabaya Mogila, Larga and Kagul and many other battles. The Turkish army was defeated. Rumyantsev became the first holder of the Order of St. George, 1st degree, and received the title of Transdanubian.
8. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1729-1800) - His Serene Highness Prince of Italy, Count of Rymnik, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, Generalissimo of the Russian land and naval forces, Field Marshal of the Austrian and Sardinian troops, Grandee of the Kingdom of Sardinia and Prince of the Royal Blood (with the title “cousin” King"), holder of all Russian and many foreign military orders awarded at that time.
He was never defeated in any of the battles he fought. Moreover, in almost all these cases he convincingly won despite the numerical superiority of the enemy.
he took the impregnable fortress of Izmail by storm, defeated the Turks at Rymnik, Focsani, Kinburn, etc. The Italian campaign of 1799 and victories over the French, the immortal crossing of the Alps was the crown of his military leadership.
9. Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov (1745-1817) - an outstanding Russian naval commander, admiral. The Russian Orthodox Church canonized Theodore Ushakov as a righteous warrior. He laid the foundations for new naval tactics, founded the Black Sea Navy, talentedly led it, winning a number of remarkable victories in the Black and Mediterranean Seas: in the Kerch naval battle, in the battles of Tendra, Kaliakria, etc. Ushakov’s significant victory was the capture of the island of Corfu in February 1799 city, where the combined actions of ships and land landings were successfully used.
Admiral Ushakov fought 40 naval battles. And they all ended in brilliant victories. People called him “Navy Suvorov”.
10. Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (1745 - 1813) - famous Russian commander, Field Marshal General, His Serene Highness Prince. Hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, full holder of the Order of St. George. He fought against the Turks, Tatars, Poles, and French in various positions, including Commander-in-Chief of armies and troops. Formed light cavalry and infantry that did not exist in the Russian army
11. Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818) - prince, outstanding Russian commander, field marshal general, minister of war, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, full holder of the Order of St. George. He commanded the entire Russian army at the initial stage of the Patriotic War of 1812, after which he was replaced by M. I. Kutuzov. In the foreign campaign of the Russian army of 1813-1814, he commanded the united Russian-Prussian army as part of the Bohemian Army of the Austrian Field Marshal Schwarzenberg.
12. Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration (1769-1812) - prince, Russian infantry general, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. Descendant of the Georgian royal house of Bagration. The branch of the Kartalin princes Bagrations (ancestors of Peter Ivanovich) was included in the number of Russian-princely families on October 4, 1803, when Emperor Alexander I approved the seventh part of the “General Armorial
13. Nikolai Nikolaevich Raevsky (1771-1829) - Russian commander, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, cavalry general. During thirty years of impeccable service, he participated in many of the largest battles of the era. After his feat at Saltanovka, he became one of the most popular generals in the Russian army. The fight for the Raevsky battery was one of the key episodes of the Battle of Borodino. When the Persian army invaded Georgia in 1795, and, fulfilling its obligations under the Treaty of Georgievsk, the Russian government declared war on Persia. In March 1796, the Nizhny Novgorod regiment, as part of the corps of V. A. Zubov, set off on a 16-month campaign to Derbent. In May, after ten days of siege, Derbent was taken. Together with the main forces, he reached the Kura River. In difficult mountain conditions, Raevsky showed his best qualities: “The 23-year-old commander managed to maintain complete battle order and strict military discipline during the grueling campaign.”
14. Alexey Petrovich Ermolov (1777-1861) - Russian military leader and statesman, participant in many major wars that the Russian Empire waged from the 1790s to the 1820s. General of Infantry. General of Artillery. Hero of the Caucasian War. In the campaign of 1818 he supervised the construction of the Grozny fortress. Under his command were the troops sent to pacify the Avar Khan Shamil. In 1819, Ermolov began construction of a new fortress - Sudden. In 1823 he commanded military operations in Dagestan, and in 1825 he fought with the Chechens.
15. Matvey Ivanovich Platov (1753-1818) - count, cavalry general, Cossack. Participated in all wars of the late 18th - early 19th centuries. Since 1801 - Ataman of the Don Cossack Army. He took part in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, then in the Turkish war. During the Patriotic War, he first commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, had successful dealings with the enemy near the towns of Mir and Romanovo. During the retreat of the French army, Platov, relentlessly pursuing it, inflicted defeats on it at Gorodnya, Kolotsky Monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaimishch, near Dukhovshchina and when crossing the Vop River. For his merits he was elevated to the rank of count. In November, Platov captured Smolensk from battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney near Dubrovna. At the beginning of January 1813, he entered Prussia and besieged Danzig; in September he received command of a special corps, with which he participated in the battle of Leipzig and, pursuing the enemy, captured about 15 thousand people. In 1814, he fought at the head of his regiments during the capture of Nemur, Arcy-sur-Aube, Cezanne, Villeneuve.
16. Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev (1788-1851) - Russian naval commander and navigator, admiral, holder of the Order of St. George IV class and discoverer of Antarctica. Here in 1827, commanding the warship Azov, M.P. Lazarev took part in the Battle of Navarino. Fighting with five Turkish ships, he destroyed them: he sank two large frigates and one corvette, burned the flagship under the flag of Tagir Pasha, forced an 80-gun battleship to run aground, after which he lit and blew it up. In addition, the Azov, under the command of Lazarev, destroyed the flagship of Muharrem Bey. For his participation in the Battle of Navarino, Lazarev was promoted to rear admiral and awarded three orders at once (Greek - "Commander's Cross of the Savior", English - Baths and French - St. Louis, and his ship "Azov" received the St. George flag.
17. Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov (1802-1855) - Russian admiral. Under the command of Lazarev, M.P. committed in 1821-1825. circumnavigation of the world on the frigate "Cruiser". During the voyage he was promoted to lieutenant. In the Battle of Navarino, he commanded a battery on the battleship "Azov" under the command of Lazarev M.P. as part of the squadron of Admiral L.P. Heyden; for distinction in the battle he was awarded the Order of St. on December 21, 1827. George IV class for No. 4141 and promoted to lieutenant commander. In 1828 took command of the corvette Navarin, a captured Turkish ship that previously bore the name Nassabih Sabah. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1828–29, commanding a corvette, he blockaded the Dardanelles as part of the Russian squadron. During the Sevastopol defense of 1854-55. took a strategic approach to the defense of the city. In Sevastopol, although Nakhimov was listed as the commander of the fleet and port, from February 1855, after the sinking of the fleet, he defended, by appointment of the commander-in-chief, the southern part of the city, leading the defense with amazing energy and enjoying the greatest moral influence on soldiers and sailors, who called him “father.” -a benefactor."
18. Vladimir Alekseevich Kornilov (1806-1855) - vice admiral (1852). Participant in the Battle of Navarino in 1827 and the Russian-Turkish War of 1828-29. From 1849 - chief of staff, from 1851 - de facto commander of the Black Sea Fleet. He advocated the re-equipment of ships and the replacement of the sailing fleet with steam. During the Crimean War - one of the leaders of the Sevastopol defense.
19. Stepan Osipovich Makarov (1849 - 1904) - He was the founder of the theory of unsinkability of a ship, one of the organizers of the creation of destroyers and torpedo boats. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877 - 1878. carried out successful attacks on enemy ships with pole mines. He made two trips around the world and a number of Arctic voyages. Skillfully commanded the Pacific squadron during the defense of Port Arthur in the Russian-Japanese War of 1904 - 1905.
20. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (1896-1974) - The most famous Soviet commander is generally recognized as the Marshal of the Soviet Union. The development of plans for all major operations of united fronts, large groupings of Soviet troops and their implementation took place under his leadership. These operations always ended victoriously. They were decisive for the outcome of the war.
21. Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky (1896-1968) - an outstanding Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Poland. Twice Hero of the Soviet Union
22. Ivan Stepanovich Konev (1897-1973) - Soviet commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union, twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
23. Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov (1897-1955) - Soviet commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
24. Kirill Afanasyevich Meretskov (1997-1968) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
25. Semyon Konstantinovich Timoshenko (1895-1970) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. In May 1940 - July 1941 People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR.
26. Fyodor Ivanovich Tolbukhin (1894 - 1949) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
27. Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov (1900-1982) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, during the Great Patriotic War - commander of the 62nd Army, which especially distinguished itself in the Battle of Stalingrad. 2nd Hero of the USSR.
28. Andrei Ivanovich Eremenko (1892-1970) - Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union. One of the most prominent commanders of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War in general.
29. Radion Yakovlevich Malinovsky (1897-1967) - Soviet military leader and statesman. Commander of the Great Patriotic War, Marshal of the Soviet Union, from 1957 to 1967 - Minister of Defense of the USSR.
30. Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov (1904-1974) - Soviet naval figure, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union, headed the Soviet Navy (as People's Commissar of the Navy (1939-1946), Minister of the Navy (1951-1953 ) and Commander-in-Chief)
31. Nikolai Fedorovich Vatutin (1901-1944) - army general, Hero of the Soviet Union, belongs to the galaxy of the main commanders of the Great Patriotic War.
32. Ivan Danilovich Chernyakhovsky (1906-1945) - an outstanding Soviet military leader, army general, twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
33. Pavel Alekseevich Rotmistrov (1901-1982) - Soviet military leader, Hero of the Soviet Union, Chief Marshal of the Armored Forces, Doctor of Military Sciences, Professor.
And this is only a part of the commanders who are worthy of mention.
Over the entire period of human existence, many wars have occurred that radically changed the course of history. There were quite a few of them on the territory of our country. The success of any military operations depended entirely on the experience and dexterity of military commanders. Who are they, the great commanders and naval commanders of Russia, who brought victories to their Fatherland in difficult battles? We present to you the most prominent Russian military leaders, starting from the times of the Old Russian state and ending with the Great Patriotic War.
Svyatoslav Igorevich
The famous commanders of Russia are not only our contemporaries. They existed during the period of the existence of Rus'. Historians call the Kyiv prince Svyatoslav the brightest military leader of that time. He ascended the throne in 945, immediately after the death of his father Igor. Since Svyatoslav was not yet old enough to rule the state (he was only 3 years old at the time of succession to the throne), his mother Olga became his regent. This heroic woman had to lead the Old Russian state even after her son grew up. The reason was his endless military campaigns, because of which he practically never visited Kyiv.
Svyatoslav began to rule his lands independently only in 964, but even after that he did not stop his campaigns of conquest. In 965, he managed to defeat the Khazar Khaganate and annex a number of conquered territories to Ancient Rus'. Svyatoslav led a series of campaigns against Bulgaria (968-969), capturing its cities in turn. He stopped only after he captured Pereyaslavets. The prince planned to move the capital of Rus' to this Bulgarian city and expand his possessions to the Danube, but due to raids on the Kyiv lands of the Pechenegs, he was forced to return home with his army. In 970-971, Russian troops led by Svyatoslav fought for Bulgarian territories with Byzantium, which laid claim to them. The prince failed to defeat the powerful enemy. The result of this struggle was the conclusion of beneficial military and trade agreements between Russia and Byzantium. It is unknown how many more aggressive campaigns Svyatoslav Igorevich managed to carry out if in 972 he had not died in the battle with the Pechenegs.
Alexander Nevskiy
There were outstanding Russian commanders during the period of feudal fragmentation of Rus'. Such political figures include Alexander Nevsky. As the Prince of Novgorod, Vladimir and Kyiv, he went down in history as a talented military leader who led the people in the fight against the Swedes and Germans laying claim to the northwestern territories of Rus'. In 1240, despite the superiority of the enemy forces, he won a brilliant victory on the Neva, delivering a crushing blow. In 1242, he defeated the Germans on Lake Peipus. The merits of Alexander Nevsky are not only in military victories, but also in diplomatic abilities. Through negotiations with the rulers of the Golden Horde, he managed to achieve the liberation of the Russian army from participation in wars waged by the Tatar khans. After his death, Nevsky was canonized by the Orthodox Church. Considered the patron saint of Russian warriors.
Dmitry Donskoy
Continuing to talk about who the most famous commanders of Russia are, it is necessary to remember the legendary Dmitry Donskoy. The Prince of Moscow and Vladimir went down in history as the man who laid the foundation for the liberation of Russian lands from the Tatar-Mongol yoke. Tired of tolerating the tyranny of the Golden Horde ruler Mamai, Donskoy and his army marched against him. The decisive battle took place in September 1380. The troops of Dmitry Donskoy were 2 times inferior in number to the enemy army. Despite the inequality of forces, the great commander managed to defeat the enemy, almost completely destroying his numerous regiments. The defeat of Mamai’s army not only accelerated the liberation of Russian lands from Golden Horde dependence, but also contributed to the strengthening of the Moscow principality. Like Nevsky, Donskoy was canonized by the Orthodox Church after his death.
Mikhail Golitsyn
Famous Russian commanders also lived during the time of Emperor Peter I. One of the most prominent military leaders of this era was Prince Mikhail Golitsyn, who became famous in the 21-year Northern War with the Swedes. He rose to the rank of Field Marshal. He distinguished himself during the capture of the Swedish fortress of Noteburg by Russian troops in 1702. He was the commander of the guard during the Battle of Poltava in 1709, which resulted in a crushing defeat for the Swedes. After the battle, together with A. Menshikov, he pursued the retreating enemy troops and forced them to lay down their arms.
In 1714, the Russian army under the command of Golitsyn attacked the Swedish infantry near the Finnish village of Lappole (Napo). This victory was of great strategic importance during the Northern War. The Swedes were driven out of Finland, and Russia seized a bridgehead for further offensive. Golitsyn also distinguished himself in the naval battle of Grenham Island (1720), which put an end to the long and bloody Northern War. Commanding the Russian fleet, he forced the Swedes to retreat. After this, Russian influence was not established.
Fedor Ushakov
Not only the best commanders of Russia glorified their country. The naval commanders did this no worse than the commanders of the ground forces. This was Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, who was canonized by the Orthodox Church for his numerous victories. He took part in the Russian-Turkish war (1787-1791). He led at Fidonisi, Tendra, Kaliakria, Kerch, and led the siege of the island of Corfu. In 1790-1792 he commanded the Black Sea Fleet. During his military career, Ushakov fought 43 battles. He was not defeated in any of them. During the battles he managed to save all the ships entrusted to him.
Alexander Suvorov
Some Russian commanders became famous throughout the world. Suvorov is one of them. Being the Generalissimo of the naval and ground forces, as well as a holder of all military orders existing in the Russian Empire, he left a noticeable mark on the history of his country. He proved himself to be a talented military leader in two Russian-Turkish wars, the Italian and Swiss campaigns. He commanded the Battle of Kinburn in 1787, and the battles of Focsani and Rymnik in 1789. He led the assault on Ishmael (1790) and Prague (1794). During his military career, he won victories in more than 60 battles and did not lose a single battle. Together with the Russian army he marched to Berlin, Warsaw and the Alps. He left behind the book “The Science of Victory,” where he outlined the tactics for successfully waging war.
Mikhail Kutuzov
If you ask who the famous commanders of Russia are, many people immediately think of Kutuzov. And this is not surprising, because for his special merits this man was awarded the Order of St. George - the highest military award of the Russian Empire. He held the rank of Field Marshal. Almost all of Kutuzov’s life was spent in battle. He is a hero of two Russian-Turkish wars. In 1774, in the battle of Alushta, he was wounded in the temple, as a result of which he lost his right eye. After long treatment, he was appointed to the post of Governor-General of the Crimean Peninsula. In 1788 he received a second serious wound to the head. In 1790 he successfully led the assault on Izmail, where he proved himself to be a fearless commander. In 1805 he went to Austria to command the troops opposing Napoleon. In the same year he took part in the Battle of Austerlitz.
In 1812, Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian troops in the Patriotic War with Napoleon. He fought the grandiose Battle of Borodino, after which at a military council held in Fili, he was forced to decide on the withdrawal of the Russian army from Moscow. As a result of the counteroffensive, troops under the command of Kutuzov were able to push the enemy back from their territory. The French army, considered the strongest in Europe, suffered enormous human losses.
Kutuzov's leadership talent ensured our country a strategic victory over Napoleon, and brought him worldwide fame. Although the military leader did not support the idea of persecuting the French in Europe, it was he who was appointed commander-in-chief of the combined Russian and Prussian forces. But illness did not allow Kutuzov to fight another battle: in April 1813, having reached Prussia with his troops, he caught a cold and died.
Generals in the war with Nazi Germany
The Great Patriotic War revealed to the world the names of talented Soviet military leaders. Outstanding Russian commanders put a lot of effort into the defeat of Hitler's Germany and the destruction of fascism in European lands. There were many brave front commanders on the territory of the USSR. Thanks to their skill and heroism, they were able to stand up against the German invaders, who were well trained and armed with the latest technology. We invite you to meet two of the greatest commanders - I. Konev and G. Zhukov.
Ivan Konev
One of those to whom our state owes its victory was the legendary marshal and twice hero of the USSR Ivan Konev. The Soviet commander began participating in the war as commander of the 19th Army of the North Caucasus District. During the Battle of Smolensk (1941), Konev managed to avoid captivity and remove the army command and communications regiment from enemy encirclement. After this, the commander commanded the Western, Northwestern, Kalinin, Steppe, First and Second Ukrainian Fronts. Participated in the battle for Moscow, led the Kalinin operations (defensive and offensive). In 1942, Konev led (together with Zhukov) the first and second Rzhevsko-Sychevskaya operations, and in the winter of 1943, the Zhizdrinskaya operations.
Due to the superiority of the enemy forces, many battles conducted by the commander until mid-1943 were unsuccessful for the Soviet Army. But the situation changed dramatically after the victory over the enemy in the battle on (July-August 1943). After this, troops under the leadership of Konev carried out a series of offensive operations (Poltava-Kremenchug, Pyatikhatskaya, Znamenskaya, Kirovograd, Lvov-Sandomierz), as a result of which most of the territory of Ukraine was cleared of the Nazis. In January 1945, the First Ukrainian Front under the command of Konev, together with its allies, began the Vistula-Oder operation, liberated Krakow from the Nazis, and in the spring of 1945, the marshal’s troops reached Berlin, and he himself personally took part in its assault.
Georgy Zhukov
The greatest commander, four times Hero of the USSR, winner of many domestic and foreign military awards, was a truly legendary personality. In his youth, he took part in the First World War and the Civil War, the Battle of Khalkhin Gol. By the time Hitler invaded the territory of the Soviet Union, Zhukov was appointed by the country's leadership to the positions of Deputy People's Commissar of Defense and Chief of the General Staff.
During the years he led the troops of the Leningrad, Reserve and First Belorussian Fronts. He took part in the battle for Moscow, the battles of Stalingrad and Kursk. In 1943, Zhukov, together with other Soviet commanders, broke through the Leningrad blockade. He coordinated actions in the Zhitomir-Berdichev and Proskurovo-Chernivtsi operations, as a result of which part of the Ukrainian lands was liberated from the Germans.
In the summer of 1944, he led the largest military operation in the history of mankind, “Bagration,” during which Belarus, part of the Baltic states and Eastern Poland were cleared of the Nazis. At the beginning of 1945, together with Konev, he coordinated the actions of Soviet troops during the liberation of Warsaw. In the spring of 1945 he took part in the capture of Berlin. On June 24, 1945, the Victory Parade took place in Moscow, timed to coincide with the defeat of Nazi Germany by Soviet troops. Marshal Georgy Zhukov was assigned to receive him.
Results
It is impossible to list all the great military leaders of our country in one publication. The naval commanders and generals of Russia from Ancient Rus' to the present day have played a significant role in world history, glorifying the national military art, heroism and courage of the army entrusted to them.
War and peace are ever-changing sides of the same coin called “life.” If in times of peace you need a wise and fair ruler, then in times of war you need a merciless commander who must win the battle and the war at all costs. History remembers many great military leaders, but it is impossible to list them all. We present to your attention the very best:
Alexander the Great (Alexander the Great)
Since childhood, Alexander dreamed of conquering the world and, although he did not have a heroic physique, he preferred to participate in military battles. Thanks to his leadership qualities, he became one of the great commanders of his time. The victories of the army of Alexander the Great are at the pinnacle of the military art of Ancient Greece. Alexander's army did not have numerical superiority, but was still able to win all the battles, spreading his gigantic empire from Greece to India. He trusted his soldiers, and they did not let him down, but faithfully followed him, reciprocating.
Genghis Khan (Great Mongol Khan)
In 1206, on the Onon River, the leaders of the nomadic tribes proclaimed the mighty Mongol warrior as the great khan of all Mongol tribes. And his name is Genghis Khan. The shamans predicted Genghis Khan power over the whole world, and he did not disappoint. Having become the great Mongol emperor, he founded one of the greatest empires and united the scattered Mongol tribes. The Shah's state and some Russian principalities conquered China, all of Central Asia, as well as the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, Baghdad, Khorezm.
Tamerlane (“Timur the Lame”)
He received the nickname “Timur the lame” for a physical disability that he received during skirmishes with the khans, but despite this he became famous as a Central Asian conqueror who played a fairly significant role in the history of Central, South and Western Asia, as well as the Caucasus, Volga region and Rus'. Founded the Timurid empire and dynasty, with its capital in Samarkand. He had no equal in saber and archery skills. However, after his death, the territory under his control, which stretched from Samarkand to the Volga, very quickly disintegrated.
Hannibal Barca ("Father of Strategy")
Hannibal is the greatest military strategist of the Ancient world, a Carthaginian commander. This is the "Father of Strategy". He hated Rome and everything connected with it, and was a sworn enemy of the Roman Republic. He fought the well-known Punic Wars with the Romans. He successfully used the tactics of enveloping enemy troops from the flanks, followed by encirclement. Standing at the head of a 46,000-strong army, which included 37 war elephants, he crossed the Pyrenees and the snow-capped Alps.
Suvorov Alexander Vasilievich
Suvorov can safely be called a national hero of Russia, a great Russian commander, because he did not suffer a single defeat in his entire military career, which included more than 60 battles. He is the founder of Russian military art, a military thinker who had no equal. Participant in the Russian-Turkish wars, Italian and Swiss campaigns.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte French emperor in 1804-1815, a great commander and statesman. It was Napoleon who laid the foundations of the modern French state. While still a lieutenant, he began his military career. And from the very beginning, participating in wars, he was able to establish himself as an intelligent and fearless commander. Having taken the place of the emperor, he unleashed the Napoleonic Wars, but he failed to conquer the whole world. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and spent the rest of his life on the island of St. Helena.
Saladin (Salah ad-Din) Expelled the Crusaders
Great talented Muslim commander and outstanding organizer, Sultan of Egypt and Syria. Translated from Arabic, Salah ad-Din means “Defender of the Faith.” He received this honorary nickname for his fight against the crusaders. He led the fight against the crusaders. Saladin's troops captured Beirut, Acre, Caesarea, Ascalon and Jerusalem. Thanks to Saladin, Muslim lands were liberated from foreign troops and foreign faith.
Gaius Julius Caesar
A special place among the rulers of the Ancient World is occupied by the well-known ancient Roman statesman and political figure, dictator, commander, and writer Gaius Julius Caesar. Conqueror of Gaul, Germany, Britain. He has outstanding abilities as a military tactician and strategist, as well as a great orator who managed to influence the people by promising them gladiatorial games and spectacles. The most powerful figure of his time. But this did not stop a small group of conspirators from killing the great commander. This caused civil wars to break out again, leading to the decline of the Roman Empire.
Alexander Nevskiy
Grand Duke, wise statesman, famous commander. He is called the fearless knight. Alexander devoted his entire life to defending his homeland. Together with his small squad, he defeated the Swedes at the Battle of the Neva in 1240. That's why he got his nickname. He recaptured his hometowns from the Livonian Order at the Battle of the Ice, which took place on Lake Peipsi, thereby stopping the ruthless Catholic expansion in Russian lands coming from the West.
Dmitry Donskoy
Dmitry Donskoy is considered the forefather of modern Russia. During his reign, the white stone Moscow Kremlin was built. This famous prince, after his victory in the Battle of Kulikovo, in which he was completely able to defeat the Mongol horde, was nicknamed Donskoy. He was strong, tall, broad-shouldered, heavyset. It is also known that Dmitry was pious, kind and chaste. A real commander has real qualities.
Attila
This man led the Hun Empire, which at first was not an empire at all. He was able to conquer a vast territory stretching from Central Asia to modern Germany. Attila was an enemy of both the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. He is known for his brutality and ability to conduct military operations. Few emperors, kings and leaders could boast of capturing such a vast territory in such a short time.
Adolf Gitler
Actually, this man cannot be called a military genius. Now there is a lot of debate about how a failed artist and corporal could become, albeit for a short time, the ruler of all of Europe. The military claims that the “blitzkrieg” form of warfare was invented by Hitler. Needless to say, the evil genius Adolf Hitler, through whose fault tens of millions of people died, was indeed a very capable military leader (at least until the start of the war with the USSR, when a worthy opponent was found).
Georgy Zhukov
As you know, Zhukov led the Red Army in the Great Patriotic War. He was a man whose ability to conduct military operations can be called super-outstanding. In fact, this man was a genius in his field, one of those people who ultimately led the USSR to victory. After the fall of Germany, Zhukov led the military forces of the USSR that occupied this country. Thanks to the genius of Zhukov, perhaps you and I have the opportunity to live and rejoice now.
Sources:
As long as human civilization has existed, there have been wars. And wars, in turn, gave birth to great warriors.
10. Richard I the Lionheart (1157-1199)
He earned this nickname for his outstanding military talents and personal courage. Together with King Philip II of France, he led the crusade. He turned out to be a victim of betrayal by an ally, so the Holy Sepulcher was never freed from the army of the “Knight of the East” Saladin. After a dramatic return to England, he waged a grueling struggle with his brother John for the English crown. Many knightly legends and ballads are associated with King Richard I the Lionheart.
9. Spartacus (110-71 BC)
Source: toptenz.net
The most famous gladiator in history, who led a slave revolt against ancient Rome. According to one version, before falling into slavery and becoming a gladiator, he served in the Roman army, deserted and became a thief. With his army of runaway slaves, he walked the length and breadth of Roman possessions. In 71 BC. In the battle near the Silari River in the south of the Apennine Peninsula, the gladiators were defeated and Spartacus died. According to legend, a legionnaire named Felix, who killed Spartacus, laid out a mosaic picture of that battle on the wall of his house in Pompeii.
8. Saladin (1138-1193)
Source: usu.edu
Sultan of Egypt and Syria, brilliant Muslim commander of the 12th century. “Anti-hero” of the Third Crusade (for the Western world) and defender of Islamic shrines from the hordes of “infidels” (for the Eastern world). He captured King Richard the Lionheart, but then nobly let him go home in exchange for a promise not to try to liberate Muslim Jerusalem. Developed advanced tactics for rapid cavalry attack.
7. Napoleon I Bonaparte (1769-1821)
Source: liveinternet.ru
Emperor of France, an outstanding commander and statesman. He began his military career with the rank of lieutenant. In 1788, he almost became an officer in the Russian army, which was staffed partly by foreigners for the war with Turkey. Taking part in wars, from the very beginning of his career he established himself as a skillful and brave commander. Having become emperor, he unleashed the so-called Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815), which radically changed the face of Europe.
6. Alexander Nevsky (1221-1263)
Source: heruvim.com.ua
He studied military affairs from an early age. Already being a prince, he led his squads and personally fought in the front ranks. He received his nickname in honor of the victory on the banks of the Neva River over the Swedes in 1240. However, his most famous victory is the Battle of the Ice on Lake Peipsi in 1242. Then the warriors of Alexander Nevsky completely defeated the knights of the Livonian Order and stopped the ruthless Catholic expansion of the West into Russian lands.
5. Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 BC)
Source: teammarcopolo.com
This Roman dictator, commander and statesman, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, became famous for his victorious wars far beyond the borders of his country. At the head of the famous Roman legions he conquered Gaul, Germany and Britain. He was considered the most powerful figure of his time, but fell victim to a relatively small group of conspirators.
4. Hannibal Barca (247-183 BC)
Source: talismancoins.com
Outstanding Carthaginian commander and strategist. In his battles, he successfully used the tactics of enveloping enemy troops from the flanks and then encircling them. Fiercely he hated Rome and everything Roman. He fought the famous Punic Wars with the Romans with varying degrees of success. His unprecedented crossing of the Pyrenees and the snow-capped Alps at the head of a 46,000-strong army, which included 37 war elephants, is known.
3. Genghis Khan (1155 (or 1162) - 1227)
The history of mankind is the history of wars. The truth is sad, but undeniable. Many historians even consider wars to be the engine of civilization. Perhaps they are right, although it is not clear why such a civilization is needed? In any case, there have been, are and will be wars. And if this is so, then there are soldiers, armies, generals. And among them there are their own outstanding personalities, whose military talents allow them to be called the best of the best. The great commanders of history with their victories changed the destinies of peoples, states and continents. There are many of them, each nation has its own iconostasis. And any list can be challenged. But there are names that are difficult to doubt. Here are ten of them.
1
A great fighter against the emerging Roman Empire. In the 3-2 centuries BC he did not know defeat in battles. But his homeland did not support him. Carthage did not consider Rome a serious rival and the Romans destroyed it.
2
Three hundred years BC, he created a huge empire by force of arms. True, the empire actually did not outlive its founder. But Alexander’s military exploits are still impressive.
3 Genghis Khan, the great and terrible
The founder of a great empire and conqueror (alas!) of ancient Russian lands. At the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries he had no equal.
4
At the end of the 14th century he revived the dying Mongol Empire. Fortunately, he bypassed the Slavic lands. This is especially gratifying if we remember that Tamerlane was exceptionally cruel.
The winner of the invincible Mongol hordes on the Kulakovsky field in 1380. The victory of his army showed the Slavs the path to freedom.
6
It is impossible not to remember him. The Viking conquest of England in 1066 changed the fate of Europe.
7
An amazing girl, a simple peasant woman, who taught the French army to fight the invaders at the beginning of the 15th century.
8
The greatest genius of military science. At the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, he easily conquered all of Europe.
9
He was the first to start “beating the French.” Throughout his entire rich fighting career, he did not lose a single battle.
10
Student of Suvorov and winner of the brilliant Napoleon. Napoleon said this about his army: “The French deserve to be called victors, and the Russians are invincible.”
Well, the list is over, but how many more famous names are there! Perhaps it’s worth mentioning one more thing – Vo Nguyen Guar. Our contemporary twice led little Vietnam to great victories. First, powerful France was defeated, and then the even more powerful USA.