The name of the commander who is the commander-in-chief in this war. Outstanding commanders of Russia
Wars are marching shoulder to shoulder with the civilization of mankind. And wars, as you know, give rise to great warriors. Great commanders can decide the course of the war with their victories. Today we will talk about such generals. So we present to your attention the 10 greatest commanders of all times and peoples.
1 Alexander the Great
First place among the greatest generals we gave to Alexander the Great. From childhood, Alexander dreamed of conquering the world and, although he did not have a heroic physique, he preferred to participate in military battles. Due to the presence of military leadership, he became one of the great commanders of his time. The victories of the army of Alexander the Great are at the pinnacle of military art Ancient Greece. Alexander's army was not outnumbered, but still managed to win all the battles, stretching his gigantic empire from Greece to India. He trusted his soldiers, and they did not let him down, but faithfully followed him, reciprocating.
2 Great Mongol Khan
In 1206, on the Onon River, the leaders of the nomadic tribes proclaimed the mighty Mongol warrior the great khan of all the Mongol tribes. And his name is Genghis Khan. Shamans predicted to Genghis Khan the power over the whole world, and he did not disappoint. Becoming a great Mongol emperor, he founded one of greatest empires, united the scattered Mongolian tribes. Conquered China, all Central Asia, as well as the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, Baghdad, Khorezm, the Shah's state and some Russian principalities.
3 "Timur lame"
He received the nickname "Timur the Lame" for a physical handicap he received during skirmishes with the khans, but despite this he became famous as a Central Asian conqueror who played a rather significant role in the history of Central, South and Western Asia, as well as the Caucasus, the Volga region and Russia. He founded the empire and the Timurid dynasty, with its capital in Samarkand. He was unrivaled in swordsmanship and archery. However, after his death, the territory subject to him, which stretched from Samarkand to the Volga, very quickly disintegrated.
4 "The Father of Strategy"
Hannibal is the greatest military strategist of the Ancient world, the Carthaginian commander. This is the "Father of Strategy". He hated Rome and everything connected with it, was a sworn enemy of the Roman Republic. With the Romans, he fought the well-known Punic Wars. He successfully used the tactics of enveloping enemy troops from the flanks with subsequent encirclement. Standing at the head of the 46,000th army, which included 37 war elephants, he made the transition through the Pyrenees and the snow-capped Alps.
Suvorov Alexander Vasilievich
national hero Russia
Suvorov can be safely called the national hero of Russia, the great Russian commander, because he did not suffer a single defeat in his entire military career, which includes more than 60 battles. He is the founder of Russian military art, a military thinker who had no equal. Member of the Russian-Turkish wars, Italian, Swiss campaigns.
6 Genius commander
Napoleon Bonaparte French emperor in 1804-1815, 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 Saint Helena.
Saladin (Salah ad-Din)
Expelling the crusaders
A great talented Muslim commander and an outstanding organizer, the Sultan of Egypt and Syria. Translated from Arabic, Salah ad-Din means "Defender of the Faith." He received this honorary nickname for the 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, foreign faith.
8 Emperor of the Roman Empire
A special place among the rulers in the Ancient World is occupied by the well-known ancient Roman state and political figure, dictator, commander, writer Gaius Julius Caesar. Conqueror of Gaul, Germany, Britain. The owner of outstanding abilities as a military tactician and strategist, as well as a great orator who managed to influence the people, promising them gladiatorial games and spectacles. The most powerful figure of his time. But this did not stop a small handful of conspirators from killing the great commander. This led to the fact that civil wars broke out again, which led to the decline of the Roman Empire.
9 Nevsky
Grand Duke, wise statesman, famous commander. They call him the fearless knight. Alexander dedicated his entire life to the defense of the Motherland. Together with his small retinue, he defeated the Swedes at the Battle of the Neva in 1240. For which he got his nickname. He conquered his native cities from the Livonian Order at the Battle of the Ice, which took place on Lake Peipsi, thereby stopping the ruthless Catholic expansion in the Russian lands, emanating from the West.
On the way to progress and evolution, mankind has always faced wars. This is an integral part of our history and you should know about the greatest warriors, laws, battles. This time we offer a rating that presents the greatest generals of all times and peoples. No one disputes the fact that history is written by the winners. But this speaks of the greatness and power of the leaders who were able to change the attitude towards the world. This list will feature the greatest leaders who have played a significant role in the history of the Earth.
The most outstanding commanders in history!
Alexander the Great
From early childhood, Macedonian wanted to conquer the whole world. Although the commander did not have a massive physique, it was difficult for him to find equal rivals in battle. He preferred to participate in military battles himself. Thus, he showed skill and delighted millions of soldiers. Showing an excellent example to the soldiers, he strengthened the fighting spirit and won - one by one. Therefore, he received the nickname "Great". He was able to create an empire from Greece to India. He trusted the soldiers, so no one let him down. All responded with devotion and obedience.
Mongolian Khan
In 1206, the Mongol Khan, Genghis Khan, was proclaimed the greatest commander of all time. The event took place on the territory of the Onon River. The leaders of the nomadic tribes recognized him unanimously. Even shamans predicted him power over the world. The prophecy has come true. He became a majestic and powerful emperor, who was feared by everyone without exception. He founded a huge empire by uniting the devastated tribes. He was able to conquer China and Central Asia. In addition, he achieved obedience from the inhabitants of Eastern Europe, Khorezm, Baghdad and the Caucasus.
"Timur lame"
Another of the greatest commanders, who received the nickname due to being wounded against the khans. As a result of a fierce battle, he was wounded in one leg. But this did not prevent the brilliant commander from conquering most of Central, Western, South Asia. In addition, he managed to conquer the Caucasus, Russia and the Volga region. His empire smoothly flowed into the Timurid dynasty. It was decided to make Samarkand the capital. There were no equal competitors in the management of the saber to this person. However, he was an excellent archer and commander. After death, the entire territory quickly disintegrated. Consequently, his descendants were not so gifted leaders.
"Father of Strategy"
Many have heard of the best military strategist of the Ancient World? Certainly not, due to the extraordinary behavior and thinking of Hannibal Bark, who was nicknamed the "Father of Strategy". He hated Rome and everything connected with this Republic. He tried with all his might to defeat the Romans and waged the Punic Wars. Successfully applied the tactics of coverage from the flanks. He was able to become the head of an army of 46,000 people. Completed the mission perfectly. With the help of 37 war elephants, he crossed the Pyrenees and even the snow-covered Alps.
National Hero of Russia
Speaking of Suvorov, it should be noted that he is not only one of the great commanders, but also a national Russian hero. He managed to complete all military attacks with victory. Not a single defeat. In his entire military career, he did not know a single defeat. And during his life he conducted about sixty military offensives. He is the founder of military Russian art. An excellent thinker, who had no equal not only in battle, but also in philosophical reflections. A brilliant man who personally participated in the Russian-Turkish, Swiss and Italian campaigns.
Genius commander
An excellent commander and simply a brilliant man who ruled from 1804 to 1815. The great leader at the head of France was able to achieve amazing heights. It was this hero who created the basis for the modern French state. While still an assistant, he began his military career and developed many interesting ideas. At first, he simply took part in hostilities. Later he was able to establish himself as a fearless leader. As a result, he became a brilliant commander and led an entire army. Wanted to conquer the world, but was defeated in the Battle of Batherloo.
Expelling the crusaders
Another warrior and one of the greatest generals is Saladin. We are talking about an outstanding organizer of hostilities, the Sultan of Egypt and Seria. He is the "defender of the faith." Thanks to this, it was possible to gain the trust of a huge army. Received an honorary nickname during the battles with the Crusaders. He was able to successfully complete the battle in Jerusalem. It was due to this leader that the Muslim lands were liberated from foreign invaders. He delivered the people from all representatives of a foreign faith.
Emperor of the Roman Empire
It would be strange if the name Julius did not appear on this list. Caesar is one of the greats not only because of his analytical thinking and unique strategies, but also because of his extraordinary ideas. Dactator, commander, writer, politician - not many merits unique person. He could do several things at the same time. That is why he was able to exert such an influence on the people. A gifted person practically captured the whole world. To this day, legends are made about him and films are made.
Russia has always been rich in outstanding commanders and naval commanders.
1. Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (c. 1220 - 1263). - a commander, at the age of 20 he defeated the Swedish conquerors on the Neva River (1240), and at 22 - the German "dog-knights" during the Battle of the Ice (1242)
2. Dmitry Donskoy (1350 - 1389). - commander, prince. Under his leadership was won greatest victory on the Kulikovo field over the hordes of Khan Mamai, which was an important stage in the liberation of Russia 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 the talent of a commander during the Azov campaigns (1695 - 1696), in the Northern War (1700 - 1721). during the Persian campaign (1722 - 1723) under the direct supervision of Peter in the famous Poltava battle(1709) the troops of the Swedish king Charles XII were defeated and captured.
4. Fedor Alekseevich Golovin (1650 - 1706) - Count, Field Marshal General, Admiral. Companion of Peter I, the greatest organizer, one of the creators of the Baltic Fleet
5 Boris Petrovich Sheremetyev (1652 - 1719) - Count, General - Field Marshal. Member of the Crimean, Azov. Commanded an army against Crimean Tatars. In the battle at Eresfer, in Livonia, a detachment under his command defeated the Swedes, defeated Schlippenbach's army at Hummelshof (5 thousand killed, 3 thousand prisoners). The Russian flotilla forced the Swedish ships to leave the Neva for the Gulf of Finland. In 1703, he took Noteburg, and then Nienschanz, Koporye, and Yamburg. In Estonia, Sheremetev B.P. occupied by Wesenberg. Sheremetev B.P. besieged Derpt, 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. Generalisimo of the Sea and ground forces. Member of the Northern War with the Swedes, battles near Poltava.
7. Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev (1725 - 1796) - Count, Field Marshal General. Member of the Russian-Swedish war, Seven Years' War. The biggest victories were won by him during the first Russian-Turkish war (1768 - 1774), especially in the battles of the Ryaba Mogila, Larga and Cahul and many other battles. The Turkish army was defeated. Rumyantsev became the first holder of the Order of St. George, I degree and received the title of Transdanubian.
8. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1729-1800) - Most Serene Prince of Italy, Count Rymniksky, 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 Sardinian kingdom and prince of royal blood (with the title "cousin of the king"), holder of all Russian and many foreign military orders awarded at that time.
Not once in any of the battles given by him was he defeated. Moreover, in almost all these cases, he convincingly won with the numerical superiority of the enemy.
he stormed the impregnable fortress of Izmail, defeated the Turks at Rymnik, Focsany, Kinburn, etc. The Italian campaign of 1799 and the victory over the French, the immortal crossing of the Alps was the crowning achievement of his military leadership.
9. Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov (1745-1817) - an outstanding Russian naval commander, admiral. Russian Orthodox Church numbered among the saints as a righteous warrior Feodor Ushakov. 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, and others. Ushakov's significant victory was the capture of the island of Corfu in February 1799 city, where the combined actions of ships and land landing forces were successfully used.
Admiral Ushakov conducted 40 naval battles. And they all ended with brilliant victories. The people called him "Naval Suvorov."
10. Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (1745 - 1813) - the famous Russian commander, Field Marshal General, His Serene Highness Prince. Hero Patriotic War 1812, full cavalier Order of Saint George. He fought against the Turks, Tatars, Poles, French in various positions, including the Commander-in-Chief of the 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 cavalier of the Order of St. George. commanded the entire Russian army initial stage 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 combined Russian-Prussian army as part of the Bohemian army of the Austrian field marshal Schwarzenberg.
12. Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration (1769-1812) - prince, Russian general from infantry, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. A descendant of the Georgian royal house of Bagration. The branch of the Kartalin princes Bagrationov (ancestors of Peter Ivanovich) was included in the number of Russian-princely families on October 4, 1803, with the approval by Emperor Alexander I of the seventh part of the “General Armorial
13. Nikolai Nikolaevich Raevsky (1771-1829) - Russian commander, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, cavalry general. For thirty years of impeccable service, he participated in many of the largest battles of the era. After the feat near Saltanovka, he became one of the most popular generals of the Russian army. The struggle for the Raevsky battery was one of the key episodes of the Battle of Borodino. By the time in 1795 the Persian army invaded the territory of Georgia, 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, went 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 full order of battle and strict military discipline during the exhausting campaign."
14. Alexei Petrovich Ermolov (1777-1861) - Russian military leader and statesman, participant in many major wars that Russian empire led from the 1790s to the 1820s. Infantry General. Artillery General. Hero of the Caucasian War. In the campaign of 1818, he led the construction of the Groznaya fortress. Under his command were the troops sent to subdue the Avar Khan Shamil. In 1819, Yermolov began the 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 late XVIII — early XIX century. Since 1801 - ataman of the Don Cossack army. Participated 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 business with the enemy near the town of Mir and Romanovo. During the retreat French army Platov, relentlessly pursuing her, inflicted defeats on her at Gorodnya, the Kolotsky Monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaimishch, near Dukhovshchina and at the crossing of the Vop River. For merit he was elevated to the dignity of a count. In November, Platov occupied Smolensk from battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney near Dubrovna. At the beginning of January 1813 he entered the borders of Prussia and overlaid 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 in the capture of Nemur, at 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", MP 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 flagship under the flag of Tagir Pasha, forced an 80-gun ship of the line to run aground, after which he set it on fire and blew it up. In addition, "Azov" under the command of Lazarev destroyed the flagship of Muharrem Bey. For 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 - Bani 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. made in 1821-1825. circumnavigation on the cruiser frigate. During the voyage he was promoted to lieutenant. In the Battle of Navarino, he commanded a battery on battleship"Azov" under the command of Lazarev M.P. as part of the squadron of Admiral L.P. Heiden; for distinction in battle he was awarded on December 21, 1827 the Order of St. George IV class No. 4141 and promoted to lieutenant commander. In 1828 took command of the Navarin corvette, a captured Turkish ship, formerly bearing the name Nassabih Sabah. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–29, commanding a corvette, he blockaded the Dardanelles as part of a Russian squadron. During the Sevastopol defense of 1854-55. showed a strategic approach to the defense of the city. In Sevastopol, Nakhimov, although he was listed as the commander of the fleet and port, but from February 1855, after the flooding of the fleet, he defended, by appointment of the commander in chief, southern part city, with amazing energy leading the defense and enjoyed the greatest moral influence on the soldiers and sailors, who called him "father-benefactor".
18. Vladimir Alekseevich Kornilov (1806-1855) - Vice Admiral (1852). Member of the Navarino battle of 1827 and the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-29. From 1849 - chief of staff, from 1851 - actual commander Black Sea Fleet. He advocated the rearmament of ships and the replacement of the sailing fleet with steam ones. V Crimean War- one of the leaders of the Sevastopol defense.
19. Stepan Osipovich Makarov (1849 - 1904) - He was the founder of the theory of ship unsinkability, 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 round-the-world trips and a number of Arctic voyages. Skillfully commanded the Pacific squadron during the defense of Port Arthur in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905.
20. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (1896-1974) - The most famous Soviet commander is generally recognized as Marshal Soviet Union. The development of plans for all major operations of the united fronts, large groupings of Soviet troops and their implementation took place under his leadership. These operations always ended in victory. 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 Alexandrovich 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. Fedor 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 himself in the Battle of Stalingrad. 2-time 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 World War II 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 soviet navy(how People's Commissar 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.
The fate of millions of people depended on their decisions! This is not the whole list of our great commanders of the Second World War!
Zhukov Georgy Konstantinovich (1896-1974) Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov was born on November 1, 1896 in the Kaluga region, into a peasant family. During the First World War, he was drafted into the army and enrolled in a regiment stationed in the Kharkov province. In the spring of 1916 he was enrolled in a group sent to officer courses. After studying, Zhukov became a non-commissioned officer, and went to the dragoon regiment, in which he participated in the battles Great War. Soon he received a concussion from a mine explosion, and was sent to the hospital. He managed to prove himself, and for the capture of a German officer he was awarded the St. George Cross.
After the civil war, he graduated from the courses of the red commanders. He commanded a cavalry regiment, then a brigade. He was an assistant inspector of the cavalry of the Red Army.
In January 1941, shortly before the German invasion of the USSR, Zhukov was appointed Chief of the General Staff, Deputy People's Commissar for Defense.
He commanded the troops of the Reserve, Leningrad, Western, 1st Belorussian fronts, coordinated the actions of a number of fronts, made a great contribution to achieving victory in the battle of Moscow, in the battles of Stalingrad, Kursk, in the Belorussian, Vistula-Oder and Berlin operations. Four times Hero of the Soviet Union , holder of two Orders of Victory, many other Soviet and foreign orders and medals.
Vasilevsky Alexander Mikhailovich (1895-1977) - Marshal of the Soviet Union.
Born on September 16 (September 30), 1895 in the village. Novaya Golchikha, Kineshma district, Ivanovo region, in the family of a priest, Russian. In February 1915, after graduating from the Kostroma Theological Seminary, he entered Alekseevsky military school(Moscow) and completed it in 4 months (in June 1915).
During the Great Patriotic War, as head of General Staff(1942-1945) took an active part in the development and implementation of almost all major operations on the Soviet-German front. From February 1945 he commanded the 3rd Belorussian Front, led the assault on Königsberg. In 1945, the commander-in-chief of the Soviet troops on Far East in the war with Japan.
.
Rokossovsky Konstantin Konstantinovich (1896-1968) - Marshal of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Poland.
He was born on December 21, 1896 in the small Russian town of Velikiye Luki (former Pskov province), in the family of a Pole railway engineer Xavier-Josef Rokossovsky and his Russian wife Antonina. After the birth of Konstantin, the Rokossovsky family moved to Warsaw. In less than 6 years, Kostya was orphaned: his father was in a railway accident and, after a long illness, died in 1902. In 1911, his mother also died. With the outbreak of World War I, Rokossovsky asked to join one of the Russian regiments heading west through Warsaw.
With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he commands the 9th mechanized corps. In the summer of 1941, he was appointed commander of the 4th Army. He managed to somewhat restrain the advance of the German armies on the western front. In the summer of 1942, he became commander of the Bryansk Front. The Germans managed to approach the Don and, from advantageous positions, create threats for the capture of Stalingrad and a breakthrough to the North Caucasus. With a strike by his army, he prevented the Germans from breaking through to the north, towards the city of Yelets. Rokossovsky participated in the counteroffensive of the Soviet troops near Stalingrad. His ability to lead fighting played a major role in the success of the operation. In 1943, he led the central front, which, under his command, began a defensive battle on the Kursk salient. A little later, he organized an offensive, and liberated significant territories from the Germans. He also led the liberation of Belarus, implementing the plan of the Headquarters - "Bagration"
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union
Konev Ivan Stepanovich (1897-1973) - Marshal of the Soviet Union.
Born in December 1897 in one of the villages of the Vologda province. His family was a peasant. In 1916, the future commander was drafted into the tsarist army. In the First World War, he participates as a non-commissioned officer.
At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Konev commanded the 19th Army, which participated in battles with the Germans and closed the capital from the enemy. For the successful leadership of the army, he receives the rank of colonel general.
Ivan Stepanovich during the Great Patriotic War managed to be the commander of several fronts: Kalinin, Western, Northwestern, Steppe, second Ukrainian and first Ukrainian. In January 1945, the First Ukrainian Front, together with the First Belorussian Front, began the offensive Vistula-Oder operation. The troops managed to take several cities of strategic importance, and even liberate Krakow from the Germans. At the end of January, the Auschwitz camp was liberated from the Nazis. In April, two fronts launched an offensive in the Berlin direction. Soon Berlin was taken, and Konev took a direct part in the storming of the city.
Twice Hero of the Soviet Union
Vatutin Nikolai Fedorovich (1901-1944) - army general.
He was born on December 16, 1901 in the village of Chepukhin, Kursk province, into a large peasant family. He graduated from four classes of the Zemstvo school, where he was considered the first student.
In the early days of the Great Patriotic War, Vatutin visited the most critical sectors of the front. The staff worker turned into a brilliant combat commander.
On February 21, the Headquarters instructed Vatutin to prepare an attack on Dubno and further on Chernivtsi. On February 29, the general was heading to the headquarters of the 60th Army. On the way, his car was fired upon by a detachment of Ukrainian Bandera partisans. The wounded Vatutin died on the night of April 15 in a Kiev military hospital.
In 1965, Vatutin was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Katukov Mikhail Efimovich (1900-1976) - marshal of the armored forces. One of the founders of the tank guard.
Born on September 4 (17), 1900 in the village of Bolshoe Uvarovo, then the Kolomna district of the Moscow province in large family a peasant (his father had seven children from two marriages). He graduated with a commendable diploma from an elementary rural school, while studying in which he was the first student of the class and school.
V Soviet army– since 1919.
At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, he took part in defensive operations in the area of the cities of Lutsk, Dubno, Korosten, showing himself to be a skillful, proactive organizer of a tank battle with superior enemy forces. These qualities dazzlingly manifested themselves in the battle near Moscow, when he commanded the 4th tank brigade. In the first half of October 1941, near Mtsensk, on a number of defensive lines, the brigade steadfastly held back the advance of enemy tanks and infantry and inflicted enormous damage on them. Having made a 360-km march to the Istra orientation, the brigade M.E. Katukov as part of the 16th Army Western Front fought heroically in the Volokolamsk direction and participated in the counteroffensive near Moscow. On November 11, 1941, for courageous and skillful fighting, the brigade was the first in the tank troops to receive the title of Guards. In 1942, M.E. Katukov commanded the 1st Tank Corps, which repelled the onslaught of enemy troops in the Kursk-Voronezh direction, from September 1942 - the 3rd Mechanized Corps, In January 1943 he was appointed commander of the 1st tank army, which, as part of the Voronezh, and later the 1st Ukrainian Front, distinguished itself in the Battle of Kursk and during the liberation of Ukraine. In April 1944, the Sun was transformed into the 1st Guards Tank Army, which, under the command of M.E. Katukova participated in the Lvov-Sandomierz, Vistula-Oder, East Pomeranian and Berlin operations, crossed the Vistula and Oder rivers.
Rotmistrov Pavel Alekseevich (1901-1982) - chief marshal of the armored forces.
Born in the village of Skovorovo, now in the Selizharovsky district of the Tver region, in a large peasant family (had 8 brothers and sisters) ... In 1916 he graduated from a higher primary school
In the Soviet Army since April 1919 (he was enrolled in the Samara workers' regiment), a participant in the Civil War.
During the Great Patriotic War, P.A. Rotmistrov fought in the Western, Northwestern, Kalinin, Stalingrad, Voronezh, Steppe, Southwestern, 2nd Ukrainian and 3rd Belorussian fronts. He commanded the 5th Guards Tank Army, which distinguished itself in the Battle of Kursk. In the summer of 1944, P.A. Rotmistrov with his army participated in the Belarusian offensive operation, the liberation of the cities of Borisov, Minsk, Vilnius. From August 1944 he was appointed deputy commander of the armored and mechanized troops of the Soviet Army.
Kravchenko Andrey Grigoryevich (1899-1963) - Colonel General of the Tank Forces.
Born on November 30, 1899 on the Sulimin farm, now the village of Sulimovka, Yagotinsky district, Kiev region of Ukraine, in a peasant family. Ukrainian. Member of the CPSU (b) since 1925. Member of the Civil War. He graduated from the Poltava military infantry school in 1923, military academy named after M.V. Frunze in 1928.
From June 1940 to the end of February 1941 A.G. Kravchenko - Chief of Staff of the 16th Panzer Division, and from March to September 1941 - Chief of Staff of the 18th Mechanized Corps.
On the fronts of the Great Patriotic War since September 1941. Commander of the 31st Tank Brigade (09/09/1941 - 01/10/1942). Since February 1942, he was deputy commander of the 61st Army for tank troops. Chief of Staff 1st tank corps(03/31/1942 - 07/30/1942). He commanded the 2nd (07/2/1942 - 09/13/1942) and 4th (from 02/07/43 - 5th Guards; from 09/18/1942 to 01/24/1944) tank corps.
In November 1942, the 4th Corps participated in the encirclement of the 6th German Army near Stalingrad, in July 1943 - in a tank battle near Prokhorovka, in October of the same year - in the battle for the Dnieper.
Novikov Alexander Alexandrovich (1900-1976) - Air Chief Marshal.
Born on November 19, 1900 in the village of Kryukovo, Nerekhtsky District, Kostroma Region. Educated at the teacher's seminary in 1918.
In the Soviet Army since 1919
In aviation since 1933. Member of the Great Patriotic War from the first day. He was the commander of the Northern Air Force, then the Leningrad Front. From April 1942 until the end of the war - commander of the Red Army Air Force. In March 1946, he was illegally repressed (together with A. I. Shakhurin), rehabilitated in 1953.
Kuznetsov Nikolai Gerasimovich (1902-1974) - Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. People's Commissar of the Navy.
Born on July 11 (24), 1904 in the family of Gerasim Fedorovich Kuznetsov (1861-1915), a peasant in the village of Medvedki, Veliko-Ustyug district, Vologda province (now in the Kotlas district of the Arkhangelsk region).
In 1919, at the age of 15, he joined the Severodvinsk flotilla, attributing two years to himself in order to be accepted (the erroneous 1902 year of birth is still found in some reference books). In 1921-1922 he was a combatant of the Arkhangelsk naval crew.
During the Great Patriotic War, N. G. Kuznetsov was chairman of the Main Military Council of the Navy and Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. He promptly and energetically led the fleet, coordinating its actions with the operations of other armed forces. The admiral was a member of the Headquarters of the Supreme High Command, he constantly traveled to ships and fronts. The fleet prevented an invasion of the Caucasus from the sea. In 1944, N. G. Kuznetsov was awarded military rank fleet admiral. On May 25, 1945, this rank was equated with the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union and marshal-type shoulder straps were introduced.
The hero of the USSR,Chernyakhovsky Ivan Danilovich (1906-1945) - army general.
Born in the city of Uman. His father was a railway worker, so it is not surprising that in 1915 his son followed in his father's footsteps and entered the railway school. In 1919, a real tragedy happened in the family: because of typhus, his parents died, so the boy was forced to leave school and study agriculture. He worked as a shepherd, driving cattle into the field in the morning, and every free minute he sat down for textbooks. Immediately after dinner, I ran to the teacher for clarification of the material.
During the Second World War, he was one of those young military leaders who motivated soldiers by their example, gave them confidence and gave faith in a brighter future.
Heroic deeds ancient world still excite the imagination of descendants, and the names of the greatest commanders of antiquity are still well known. The battles they won remain classics of military art, and modern military leaders also learn from their examples.
Pharaoh Ramses II, who ruled Egypt for more than 60 years, was not without reason mentioned in ancient Egyptian texts with the title "Conqueror". He won many victories, the most important of which was over the Hittite kingdom, for a long time the former main enemy of Egypt.
Its most famous episode was the Battle of Kadesh, which involved several thousand chariots from both sides.
The battle went on with varying success. At first, success was on the side of the Hittites, who took the Egyptians by surprise. But the reserves arrived in time to turn the tide of the battle. The Hittites were pressed against the Orontes River and suffered during a hasty crossing big losses. Thanks to this, Ramses managed to conclude a favorable peace with them.
In the wars of the Egyptians and the Hittites, chariots were one of the main striking forces. Sometimes knives were attached to their wheels, literally mowing down the ranks of the enemy. But when taking flight or losing control of the horses, this terrible weapon sometimes involuntarily turned against its own. The Hittite chariots were more powerful, and the warriors on them often fought with spears, and the more maneuverable Egyptian chariots were equipped with archers.
Cyrus the Great (530 BC)
When Cyrus II became the leader of the Persian tribes, the Persians were divided and were in vassal dependence on Media. By the end of Cyrus' reign, the Achaemenid Persian empire stretched from Greece and Egypt to India.
Cyrus treated the conquered humanely, left the conquered areas with substantial self-government, respected their religions, and, thanks to this, avoided serious uprisings in the conquered territories, and some opponents preferred submission to war on such mild terms.
In the battle with the legendary Lydian king Croesus, Cyrus used an original military trick. In front of his army, he put up camels taken from the convoy, on which sat archers firing at the enemy. The horses of the enemy were frightened by unfamiliar animals and brought confusion to the ranks of the enemy troops.
The personality of Cyrus is covered with numerous legends, in which it is difficult to distinguish truth from fiction. So, according to legend, he knew by sight and by name all the soldiers of his large army. After 29 years of the reign, Cyrus died during the next conquest campaign.
Miltiades (550 BC - 489 BC)
The Athenian commander Miltiades became famous, first of all, for his victory in the legendary battle with the Persians at Marathon. The positions of the Greeks were such that their army blocked the path to Athens. The Persian commanders decided not to engage in land combat, but to board ships, bypass the Greeks by sea and land near Athens.
Miltiades seized the moment when most of the Persian cavalry was already on the ships and attacked the Persian infantry.
When the Persians came to their senses and launched a counteroffensive, the Greek troops deliberately retreated in the center, and then surrounded the enemies. Despite the superiority of the Persians in numbers, the Greeks were victorious. After the battle, the Greek army made a 42-kilometer march to Athens and did not allow the remaining Persians to land near the city.
Despite the merits of Miltiades, after another, unsuccessful military expedition against the island of Paros, where the commander himself was wounded, he was accused of "deceiving the people" and sentenced to a huge fine. Miltiades was unable to pay the fine, and was credited with insolvent debtors who were forbidden to engage in state activities, and soon died of his wounds.
Themistocles (524 BC - 459 BC)
Themistocles, the greatest Athenian naval commander, played a key role in the victories of the Greeks over the Persians and the preservation of Greek independence. When the Persian king Xerxes went to war against Greece, the city-states united in the face of a common enemy, and adopted the plan of Themistocles for protection. The decisive naval battle took place off the island of Salamis. In its vicinity there are many narrow straits and, according to Themistocles, if it were possible to lure the Persian fleet into them, the enemy’s large numerical advantage would be leveled. Frightened by the size of the Persian fleet, other Greek commanders were inclined to flee, but Themistocles, having sent his messenger to the Persian camp, provoked them to immediately start a battle. The Greeks had no choice but to take the fight. Themistocles' calculation was brilliantly justified: in the narrow straits, large and clumsy Persian ships were helpless in front of the more maneuverable Greek ones. The Persian fleet was defeated.
The merits of Themistocles were soon forgotten. Political opponents expelled him from Athens, and then sentenced him in absentia to death penalty accused of high treason.
Themistocles was forced to flee to his former enemies in Persia. King Artaxerxes, the son of Xerxes defeated by Themistocles, not only spared his longtime enemy, but also gave him control over several cities. According to legend, Artaxerxes wanted Themistocles to participate in the war against the Greeks, and the commander, unable to refuse, but not wanting to harm the ungrateful homeland, took poison.
Epaminondas (418 BC - 362 BC)
The great Theban commander Epaminondas spent most of his life fighting against the Spartans who dominated mainland Greece at that time. In the battle of Leuctra, he defeated the Spartan army for the first time, which until now was considered invincible in a land battle. The victories of Epaminondas contributed to the rise of Thebes, but aroused the fears of other Greek city-states that united against them.
In his last battle at Mantinea, also against the Spartans, when the victory was already practically in the hands of the Thebans, Epaminondas was mortally wounded, and the army, confused without a commander, retreated.
Epaminondas is considered one of the greatest innovators in the art of war. It was he who first began to unevenly distribute forces along the front, concentrating the main forces in the direction of the decisive blow. This principle, called "oblique order tactics" by contemporaries, is still one of the fundamental principles in military science. Epaminondas was one of the first to actively use cavalry. The commander paid great attention to raising the morale of the warriors: he encouraged Theban youths to challenge young Spartans to sports so that they would understand that these opponents could be defeated, not only in the palestra, but also on the battlefield.
Phocion (398 BC - 318 BC)
Phocion was one of the most cautious and prudent Greek commanders and politicians, and in difficult times for Greece, these qualities were most in demand. He won a number of victories over the Macedonians, but later, realizing that a fragmented Greece was unable to withstand a strong Macedonian army and believing that only Philip II could stop the Greek strife, he took a moderate position, which seemed to the famous orator Demosthenes and his supporters treacherous.
Thanks to the respect that Phokion enjoyed among the Macedonians, including Alexander the Great, he managed to achieve easy peace conditions for the Athenians.
Phocion never aspired to power, but the Athenians elected him strategist 45 times, and sometimes against his will. The last election ended tragically for him. After the Macedonians took the city of Piraeus, the eighty-year-old Focion was accused of treason and executed.
Philip of Macedon (382 BC - 336 BC)
Philip II, the Macedonian king, is best known as the father of Alexander the Great, but it was he who laid the foundation for his son's future victories. Philip created a well-trained army with iron discipline, and with it he managed to conquer all of Greece. The decisive battle was the Battle of Chaeronea, as a result of which the combined Greek troops were defeated, and Philip united Greece under his command.
The main military innovation of Philip is the famous Macedonian phalanx, which his great son later so skillfully used.
The phalanx was a close formation of warriors armed with long spears, and the spears of the subsequent rows were longer than those of the first. The bristling phalanx could successfully withstand cavalry attacks. Often he also used various siege machines. However, being a cunning politician, he preferred bribery to battle whenever possible and said that "a donkey loaded with gold is able to take any fortress." Many contemporaries considered this method of warfare avoiding open battles unworthy.
During his wars, Philip of Macedon lost an eye and received several severe wounds, one of which left him lame. But he died as a result of an assassination attempt by one of the courtiers, outraged by the unfair judicial decision of the king. At the same time, many historians believe that the killer's hand was directed by his political enemies.
Alexander the Great (356 BC - 323 BC)
Alexander the Great is probably the most legendary commander in history. Having ascended the throne at the age of twenty, in less than thirteen years he managed to conquer most of the lands known at that time and create a huge empire.
From childhood, Alexander the Great prepared himself for hardships. military service, leading a harsh, completely uncharacteristic life for the royal offspring. His main feature was the desire for fame. Because of this, he was even upset by the victories of his father, fearing that he would conquer everything himself, and nothing would be left for him.
According to legend, when his teacher, the great Aristotle, told the young man that there could be other inhabited worlds, Alexander bitterly exclaimed: “But I still don’t own even one!”
Having completed the conquest of Greece begun by his father, Alexander went to eastern campaign. In it, he defeated the Persian Empire, which seemed invincible for a long time, conquered Egypt, reached India and was going to capture it, but the exhausted army refused to continue the campaign, and Alexander was forced to return. In Babylon, he fell seriously ill (most likely with malaria) and died. After the death of Alexander, the empire fell apart, and between his generals, the Diadochi, a long-term war began for the possession of parts of it.
The most famous battle of Alexander is the battle with the Persians at Gaugamela. The army of the Persian king Darius was an order of magnitude larger, but Alexander managed to break its front line with graceful maneuvers and delivered a decisive blow. Darius fled. This battle marked the end of the Achaemenid Empire.
Pyrrhus (318 BC - 272 BC)
Pyrrhus, the king of the small state of Epirus in the Balkans, a distant relative of Alexander the Great, is considered one of the greatest commanders in history, and Hannibal even put him in first place, above himself.
Even in his youth, Pyrrhus received battle hardening, participating in the wars of the Diadochi for the division of the inheritance of Alexander the Great. Initially, he supported one of the Diadochi, but soon began to play his own game and, despite the relatively small forces of his army, almost became the king of Macedonia. But the main battles that glorified him, Pyrrhus fought against Rome. Pyrrhus fought with both Carthage and Sparta.
Having defeated the Romans during the two-day battle of Ausculum and realizing that the losses were too great, Pyrrhus exclaimed: “Another such victory, and I will be left without an army!”
This is where the expression “Pyrrhic victory” came from, meaning success that came at too high a price.
The great commander was killed by a woman. During the assault on the city of Argos by Pyrrhus, street fighting broke out. The women did their best to help their defenders. A piece of tile thrown from the roof of one of them hit Pyrrhus in an unprotected place. He fell unconscious and was finished off or crushed by the crowd on the ground.
Fabius Maximus (203 BC)
Quintus Fabius Maximus was not at all a warlike man. In his youth, for his gentle nature, he even received the nickname Ovikula (sheep). Nevertheless, he went down in history as a great commander, the winner of Hannibal. After crushing defeats from the Carthaginians, when the fate of Rome hung in the balance, it was Fabius Maximus who was elected dictator by the Romans in order to save the fatherland.
For his actions at the head of the Roman army, Fabius Maximus received the nickname Cunctator (delayer). Avoiding, as far as possible, direct clashes with the army of Hannibal, Fabius Maximus exhausted the enemy army and cut off its supply lines.
Many reproached Fabius Maxim for slowness and even treason, but he continued to stick to his line. As a result, Hannibal was forced to retreat. After that, Fabius Maximus retired from command, and other commanders were already engaged in the war with Carthage on enemy territory.
In 1812, Kutuzov used the tactics of Fabius Maxim in the war with Napoleon. George Washington did the same during american war for independence.
Hannibal (247 BC - 183 BC)
Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, is considered by many to be the greatest general of all time and is sometimes referred to as the "father of strategy". When Hannibal was nine years old, he swore eternal hatred of Rome (hence the expression "Annibal's oath"), and followed this in practice all his life.
At the age of 26, Hannibal led the Carthaginian troops in Spain, for which the Carthaginians had a fierce struggle with Rome. After a series of military successes, he and his army made the most difficult transition through the Pyrenees and, unexpectedly for the Romans, invaded Italy. In his army there were fighting African elephants, and this is one of the few cases when these animals were tamed and used in military affairs.
Rapidly moving inland, Hannibal inflicted three severe defeats on the Romans: on the Trebbia River, near Lake Trasimene and at Cannae. The latter, in which the Roman troops were surrounded and destroyed, has become a classic of military art.
Rome was on the verge of complete defeat, but Hannibal, who did not receive reinforcements in time, was forced to retreat, and then completely leave Italy with his exhausted army. The commander bitterly said that it was not Rome that defeated him, but the envious Carthaginian Senate. Already in Africa, Hannibal was defeated by Scipio. After the defeat in the war with Rome, Hannibal was involved in politics for some time, but was soon forced to go into exile. In the East, he helped the enemies of Rome with military advice, and when the Romans demanded his extradition, Hannibal, in order not to fall into their hands, took poison.
Scipio Africanus (235 BC - 181 BC)
Publius Cornelius Scipio was only 24 years old when, during the war with Carthage, he led the Roman troops in Spain. Things were going so badly for the Romans there that there were no other people who wanted to take this position. Using the disunity of the Carthaginian troops, he dealt them sensitive blows in parts, and, in the end, Spain came under the control of Rome. During one of the battles, Scipio used a curious tactic. Before the battle, he led out the army for several days in a row, built in the same order, but did not start the battle. When the opponents got used to this, Scipio on the day of the battle changed the disposition of the troops, brought them out earlier than usual and launched a swift attack. The enemy was defeated, and this battle became a turning point in the war, which could now be transferred to enemy territory.
Already in Africa, on the territory of Carthage, Scipio used a military trick in one of the battles.
Learning that the allies of the Carthaginians, the Numidians, live in reed huts, he sent part of the army to set fire to these huts, and when the Carthaginians, attracted by the spectacle of the fire, lost their vigilance, another part of the army attacked them and inflicted a heavy defeat.
In the decisive battle of Zama, Scipio met Hannibal on the battlefield and won. The war is over.
Scipio was distinguished by a humane attitude towards the vanquished, and his generosity became a favorite topic for artists of the future.
Marius (158 BC - 86 BC)
Guy Marius came from an ignoble Roman family, he achieved exaltation thanks to military talents. He acted very successfully in the war against the Numidian king Jugurtha, but he earned real glory in battles with the Germanic tribes. During this period, they intensified so much that for Rome, weakened by numerous wars in different parts of the empire, their invasion became a real threat. There were significantly more Germans than Maria's legionnaires, but the Romans had order, better weapons and experience on the side. Thanks to the skillful actions of Marius, the strong tribes of the Teutons and Cimbri were practically destroyed. The commander was proclaimed "the savior of the fatherland" and "the third founder of Rome."
The glory and influence of Marius were so great that the Roman politicians, fearing his excessive exaltation, gradually put the commander out of business.
At the same time, the career of Sulla, a former subordinate of Marius, who became his enemy, was going uphill. Both sides did not disdain any means, from slander to political assassinations. Their enmity eventually led to civil war. Expelled from Rome by Sulla, Marius wandered around the provinces for a long time and almost died, but managed to gather an army and take the city, in which he remained to the end, pursuing Sulla's supporters. After the death of Marius, his supporters did not last long in Rome. Returning Sulla devastated the grave of his enemy, and threw his remains into the river.
Sulla (138 BC - 78 BC)
The Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla was nicknamed Felix (happy). Indeed, luck accompanied this man all his life, both in military and political affairs.
Sulla began his military service during the Numidian War in North Africa under the command of Gaius Marius, his future implacable enemy. He conducted business with such vigor and was so successful in battles and diplomacy that popular rumor attributed to him most of the credit for the victory in the Numidian War. This aroused Mary's jealousy.
After successful military campaigns in Asia, Sulla was appointed commander in the war against the Pontic king Mithridates. However, after his departure, Marius ensured that Sulla was recalled, and he was appointed commander.
Sulla, having enlisted the support of the army, returned, captured Rome and expelled Marius, initiating a civil war. While Sulla was at war with Mithridates, Marius recaptured Rome. Sulla returned there after the death of his enemy and was elected an indefinite dictator. Having brutally dealt with the supporters of Marius, Sulla some time later resigned his dictatorial powers and remained a private person until the end of his life.
Crassus (115 BC - 51 BC)
Mark Licinius Crassus was one of the richest Romans. However, he amassed most of his fortune during the dictatorship of Sulla, appropriating the confiscated property of his opponents. He achieved his high position under Sulla due to the fact that he distinguished himself in the civil war, fighting on his side.
Already after the death of Sulla, Crassus was appointed commander in the war against the rebellious slaves of Spartacus.
Acting, unlike his predecessors, very energetically, Crassus forced Spartacus to take the decisive battle and defeated him.
He dealt with the vanquished with extreme cruelty: several thousand captive slaves were crucified along the Appian Way, and their bodies remained hanging there for many years.
Together with Julius Caesar and Pompey, Crassus became a member of the first triumvirate. These commanders actually divided the Roman provinces among themselves. Crassus got Syria. He planned to expand his possessions and waged a war of conquest against the Parthian kingdom, but unsuccessfully. Crassus lost the battle of Carrah, was treacherously captured during the negotiations and brutally executed, molten gold was poured down his throat.
Spartacus (110 BC - 71 BC)
Spartacus, a Roman gladiator from Thrace, was the leader of the largest slave uprising. Despite his lack of command experience and education, he became one of the greatest generals in history.
When Spartacus and his comrades fled from the gladiatorial school, his detachment consisted of several dozen poorly armed people who had taken refuge on Vesuvius. The Romans blocked all roads, but the rebels performed a legendary maneuver: they descended a steep slope on ropes woven from vines and hit the enemies from the rear.
The Romans at first treated the fugitive slaves with contempt, believing that their legions would easily defeat the rebels, and severely paid for their arrogance.
The relatively small forces sent against Spartacus were defeated one by one, and his army, meanwhile, strengthened: slaves from all over Italy flocked to it.
Unfortunately, there was no unity among the rebels and general plan further actions: some wanted to stay in Italy and continue the war, while others wanted to have time to leave before the main forces of the Romans entered the war. Part of the army broke away from Spartacus and was defeated. An attempt to leave Italy by sea ended in failure due to the betrayal of the pirates hired by Spartacus. The commander for a long time avoided a decisive battle with the legions of Crassus, superior to his army, but, in the end, he was forced to accept a battle in which the slaves were defeated, and he himself died. According to legend, Spartak continued to fight, already being seriously wounded. His body was literally littered with the corpses of the Roman legionaries killed by him in the last battle.
Pompey (106 BC - 48 BC)
Gnaeus Pompey is known primarily as an opponent of Julius Caesar. But he received his nickname Magn (Great) for completely different battles.
During the civil war, he was one of the best commanders of Sulla. Then Pompey successfully fought in Spain, the Middle East, the Caucasus and significantly expanded the Roman possessions.
Another important business of Pompey was the cleansing mediterranean sea from pirates who became so insolent that Rome experienced serious difficulties in transporting food by sea.
When Julius Caesar refused to submit to the Senate and thereby started a civil war, Pompey was entrusted with the command of the troops of the republic. The struggle between the two great commanders for a long time went on with varying success. But in the decisive battle at the Greek city of Pharsalus, Pompey was defeated and forced to flee. He tried to collect new army to continue the fight, but was treacherously killed in Egypt. Pompey's head was brought to Julius Caesar, but he, contrary to expectations, did not reward, but executed the murderers of his great opponent.
Julius Caesar (100 BC - 44 BC)
Guy Julius Caesar truly became famous as a commander when he conquered Gaul (now it is mainly the territory of France). He himself compiled a detailed account of these events, writing "Notes on the Gallic War", which is still considered a model of military memoirs. Julius Caesar's aphoristic style also manifested itself in reports to the Senate. For example, "Come. Saw. Defeated" went down in history.
In conflict with the Senate, Julius Caesar refused to surrender his command and invaded Italy. On the border, he crossed the Rubicon River with his troops, and since then the expression "Cross the Rubicon" (meaning to take a decisive action, cutting off the path to retreat) has become winged.
In the ensuing civil war, he defeated the troops of Gnaeus Pompey at Pharsalus, despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, and after campaigns in Africa and Spain, he returned to Rome as a dictator. A few years later, he was assassinated by conspirators in the Senate. According to legend, the bloodied body of Julius Caesar fell at the foot of the statue of his enemy Pompey.
Arminius (16 BC - 21 AD)
Arminius, the leader of the Germanic Cherusci tribe, is known, first of all, for the fact that with his victory over the Romans in the battle in the Teutoburg Forest, he dispelled the myth of their invincibility, which inspired other peoples to fight the conquerors.
In his youth, Arminius served in the Roman army and studied the future enemy well from the inside. After an uprising of the Germanic tribes broke out in his homeland, Arminius led it. According to some reports, he was at all his ideological inspirer. When the three Roman legions sent to the rebels entered the Teutoburg Forest, where they could not line up in the usual order, the Germans, led by Arminius, attacked them. After three days of battles, the Roman troops were almost completely destroyed, and the head of the unlucky Roman commander Quintilius Varus, the son-in-law of the emperor Octavian Augustus himself, was shown around the German villages.
Knowing that the Romans would certainly try to take revenge, Arminius tried to unite the Germanic tribes to repel them, but did not succeed. He did not die at the hands of the Romans, but as a result of internal strife, he was killed by one of those close to him. However, his cause did not disappear: following the results of the wars with the Romans, the Germanic tribes defended their independence.
