Greatest Military Generals in History — Yourlist

Greatest Military Generals in History

a Yourlist ranking · the crowd decides the order

From ancient conquerors to modern strategists, who deserves the title of greatest general ever? Cast your vote and see how history's commanders stack up.

What counts: Ranking reflects battlefield genius, strategic innovation, campaign success rate, and lasting historical impact. Years, battle counts, and win rates are approximate and drawn from widely cited historical estimates; scholarly sources vary.

Alexander the Great
Undefeated in battle, he built one of history's largest empires by age 30.
Active Era: 336-323 BCMajor Battles: 9Estimated Win Rate: ~100%
added by IJRin 5 rankings
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Julius Caesar
Conquered Gaul and reshaped Rome through brilliant campaigns and political acumen.
Active Era: 58-45 BCMajor Battles: 15Estimated Win Rate: ~90%
added by IJRin 4 rankings
0
Napoleon Bonaparte
Revolutionized warfare with mass conscription and rapid maneuver, dominating Europe for two decades.
Active Era: 1796-1815Major Battles: 60Estimated Win Rate: ~85%
added by IJRin 4 rankings
0
Genghis Khan
Unified the Mongol tribes and conquered the largest contiguous land empire ever.
Active Era: 1206-1227Major Battles: 20Estimated Win Rate: ~95%
added by IJRin 3 rankings
0
Hannibal Barca
Crossed the Alps with elephants and humiliated Rome at Cannae, a tactical masterpiece studied today.
Active Era: 218-201 BCMajor Battles: 8Estimated Win Rate: ~75%
added by IJRin 2 rankings
0
Sun Tzu
Author of 'The Art of War,' whose principles still guide military and business strategy globally.
Active Era: ~500 BCMajor Battles: —Estimated Win Rate: —
added by IJRin 3 rankings
0
Erwin Rommel
The 'Desert Fox' earned enemy respect for his bold armored tactics in North Africa.
Active Era: 1940-1944Major Battles: 12Estimated Win Rate: ~65%
added by IJRErwin Rommel
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
Supreme Allied Commander who orchestrated D-Day and the liberation of Western Europe.
Active Era: 1942-1945Major Battles: 8Estimated Win Rate: ~90%
added by IJRin 4 rankings Dwight D. Eisenhower
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George S. Patton
Aggressive armored commander whose Third Army tore across France with relentless speed.
Active Era: 1942-1945Major Battles: 10Estimated Win Rate: ~90%
added by IJRGeorge S. Patton
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Ulysses S. Grant
Relentless Union strategist whose war of attrition crushed the Confederacy.
Active Era: 1861-1865Major Battles: 15Estimated Win Rate: ~75%
added by IJRin 2 rankings
0
Robert E. Lee
Outmatched Confederate general famed for daring tactics against superior Union forces.
Active Era: 1861-1865Major Battles: 16Estimated Win Rate: ~65%
added by IJR
0
Frederick the Great
Transformed Prussia into a European power through disciplined armies and daring tactics.
Active Era: 1740-1786Major Battles: 16Estimated Win Rate: ~70%
added by IJRFrederick the Great
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Scipio Africanus
Defeated Hannibal at Zama, ending the Second Punic War and securing Rome's dominance.
Active Era: 218-202 BCMajor Battles: 6Estimated Win Rate: ~85%
added by IJR
0
Saladin
Unified Muslim forces and recaptured Jerusalem, becoming a legendary chivalrous foe of the Crusaders.
Active Era: 1174-1193Major Battles: 10Estimated Win Rate: ~75%
added by IJRin 2 rankings
0
Tamerlane (Timur)
Built a vast Central Asian empire through ruthless and highly effective military campaigns.
Active Era: 1370-1405Major Battles: 25Estimated Win Rate: ~90%
added by IJR
0
Khalid ibn al-Walid
Never lost a battle in over 100 engagements, spearheading early Islamic conquests.
Active Era: 629-638Major Battles: 15Estimated Win Rate: 100%
added by IJR
0
Georgy Zhukov
Soviet marshal who broke the Wehrmacht at Stalingrad and Berlin, arguably WWII's decisive general.
Active Era: 1939-1945Major Battles: 12Estimated Win Rate: ~85%
added by IJR
0
Douglas MacArthur
Master of amphibious island-hopping in the Pacific, from Inchon to the defeat of Japan.
Active Era: 1942-1951Major Battles: 10Estimated Win Rate: ~80%
added by IJRDouglas MacArthur
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Duke of Wellington
Defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, ending decades of French dominance in Europe.
Active Era: 1808-1815Major Battles: 15Estimated Win Rate: ~85%
added by IJR
0
Belisarius
Byzantine general who reconquered vast territories for Justinian with remarkably small forces.
Active Era: 527-565Major Battles: 10Estimated Win Rate: ~80%
added by IJR
0
Attila the Hun
The 'Scourge of God' terrorized both Roman empires with unmatched cavalry warfare.
Active Era: 434-453Major Battles: 8Estimated Win Rate: ~75%
added by IJRAttila the Hun
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