Belisarius: Perhaps the greatest general of all times !

Guys you must read this short piece on Belisarius....he is perhaps the greatest general of all times.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belisarius

I have long been an admirer of Belisarius, what he did was astonishing considering how limited his supplies where due to the suspicion of Justinian, luckily however Belisarius wife was friendly with Justinian's. This meant that Belisarius was able to expand the Empire to its greatest ever frontiers. He deserves much more praise than history gives him and I struggle to think of many Generals bette. Truly a legendary if underated General.

{Grailknights}Dion wrote:

I have long been an admirer of Belisarius, what he did was astonishing considering how limited his supplies where due to the suspicion of Justinian, luckily however Belisarius wife was friendly with Justinian's. This meant that Belisarius was able to expand the Empire to its greatest ever frontiers. He deserves much more praise than history gives him and I struggle to think of many Generals bette. Truly a legendary if underated General.

hmmm, I can think of 2.........

Better ? Im not sure there is one who has youre vote Alex

I do Alexander the Great. But let us not forget that we have our own thoughs on who is the best.

Tzimisces could match him though. Thats a fact. But Belisarius is one of the greatest byzantine generals if not THE greatest. Tzimisces is one as well.

well...my vote has to go to Alexander the Great (thats obvious if you knew me before the Crusaders), and going to my Italian roots, I vote for Julius Caesar. Those are my two best generals.

I dont think haveing the strongest army is the same as being the greatest general.Sure they swept across the countries with there masive forces dominateing there opponets with superior military units.Belisarius did not have that luxury.Im talking about a general that would be undersupplied and outnumbered against powerful armies and he would win, thats why he is the best of the best.If belisarius had the powerful legions of Ceaser or Alexanders super phalanx army I think he would have done better with them.

I chose Alexander Because he was smart with his troops not because it was strong. Lets not forget Alexander was out numbered too you know.

Yes i agree alexander was out numbered but he had the better army,its like playing rtw who would win if say i had 10 hoplites and you had 20 eastern infantry......The hoplites would win.

Well, having a super phalanx doesnt really come in to effect when you are outflanked by a mile on EACH side like Alexander was at Gaugamela. The soldiers where also human and have morale just like every Persian. Alexander also only lost about roughly 22 men in his first fight against the Persian, but yes, its was a super force. I will give you that.

A super force that had been hardened together in many battles under his father Philip...it was Philips army more than Alexander's however he was a good leader men and not afraid to throw himself into combat. Belisarius on the other hand basically had to start from scratch every campaign.

Other great Byzantine generals are John Commenus and Heraclius.

Wrong, Alexander left a large portion of his Phillip II's army in Macedonia while he campaigned in Asia, and secondly, the army had been hardened under his command while he fought the tribes in the North.

Correction: Comnenus not Commenus

-Crusaders-Konstantine|KT wrote:

Correction: Comnenus not Commenus

Konst, you would correct that.....

We all knew who you where talking about.....

Well its good to see we all have our favorites, makes for some entresting convos.

a toast to Belisarius and Alexander, 2 great generals of there times.

Indeed, and btw, how do I get my screen shots off of X-fire, I fixed it, and got my other comp up and running.

I am currently reading a book called the Afghan Campiagn by Stephen Pressfield (Gates of Fire) it seems good and follows a mounted infantryman in Alexanders army when fighting the Afghans it is a very good read you should pick it up if you can.

I have yet to find a good historical ficition book on any Byzantines however for non-ficition John Julius Norwhich is the best there is. I would love to see a book on the English Varangians after 1066.

yes, the afghan campaign, I have read it, and in fact I think it is an excellent book, also, if you want another good Steven Pressfield book, try The Virtues of War, its another good book.

i would but i dont know how to read or write.

i happen to have a vote for best general.
talking bout out numbered get a look at these numbers!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bannockburn
much weaker suplies to boot.

aye, that truely is amazing.