Caesar, Hannibal, and Alexander the Great Essay

It was the leadership of Caesar, Alexander, and Hannibal that heavily influenced the Roman society, the ancient world, and the western civilization. Ambition drove Alexander the Great to conquer the unconquered, propelled Caesar to the top of the political spectrum with no birthright, and helped Hannibal defeat a dominent society in the ancient world. It was Julius Caesar’s successful military tactics, his drive to the top of the political society, and his succession without the right, privilege, and possession to which a person is entitled to by birth.

Alexander, and Hannibal proved to be superior leaders, and military geniuses, but above all Julius Caesar was the greater of the three. Great military intellectuals pursed forward in attempt to conquer a portion of success or civilized purpose. Intelligence was a crucial factor that impacted a leaders success, strategy, and their ability to lead effectively. To sustain an empire from collapsing, Alexander “tolerated many local religious and social customs. [1] Alexander’s tolerance towards supplementary cultures among his new empire illustrates his intelligence for maintaining and establishing happier subjects that will accept a new leadership, which in return will reduce the chance of rebellion and disagreements on his motives and conquest for power. In contrast, Hannibal’s intellect dwells within his calculated thought to detect and determine well assessed actions, even at a time of disadvantage, despite that “the Romans outnumbered the Carthaginians fifty-four thousand to fifty-five thousand, the Carthaginian cavalry was stronger by four thousand.

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Hannibal planned his strategy around this advantage. ”[2] Despite a minor disadvantage Hannibal was able to maximize his troops strength’s to balance for the troops weaknesses, to increase the probability of a successful victory. This intelligent, innovative thinking would lead to another victory. Julius Caesar on the other hand, displayed his compassion and his intelligence, towards his men by rushing in where his men were being beaten.

Surprised by an overwhelming onslaught at Nirvii, Caesar then rushed over to the Twelfth Legion, which was falling back in disorder. He seized a shield from a soldier in the rear ranks, pushed his way to the front, called upon centurions by name, then sounded the charge. The mere gesture revived his men and made them surge forward. At the end of the day, The Nervii were hacked to pieces. [3] Caesar’s compassion and intelligence shined through.

This exposed that Julius Caesar cared for his troops, by taking the time and effort to support his men by assisting them in a battle, and an effort to remember centurions names to move them onward. The intelligence of these great military leaders impacted and determined there success, but Julius Caesar’s presence on the battle field not only struck fear in the enemy but instilled so high a moral boost that victory could be snatched out of the jaws of defeat.

Ambition is a driving factor, that impels a being to be successful, conquer the unconquered, and achieve never ending glory. Alexander’s ambition drove him to achieve a past generations goal, Alexander “now took on a project the Philip had planned but never carried out: an invasion of Persia”[4] Alexander was ambitious to implement this task that was not attained by his deceased father. Undeniably after subduing Greece, dominating Indian territories at the Hydespas River, and pursing through Persia, Alexander still wanted to push onward.

Hannibal on the other hand, was driven to attain an entirely different aspiration, Hannibal’s “destination was Italy; his goal was to crush the Romans for once and for all”[5] thus eliminating the threat the threat against Carthage cause by the hands of the Romans. Hannibal took the battle onto Italian soil, “where the people were once liberated, would ally, with him against their oppressors. ”[6] Hannibal’s reputation for bravery, ambition and military strategic maneuvering did not go unnoticed.

In Caesar’s case, he would soon recognize the need to secure peace and the inevitable need of his generation “to find a simple method to pick supreme leaders, to govern far-flung domains with stability and establish a reasonably durable peace. ”[7] Rome was unprepared , and not able to readily accept this solution, the rule of one man. Alexander and Hannibal were presented with endless opportunities to expand and test their abilities from birth, but for Julius Caesar such opportunities were not accessible. Alexander, the son of Philip”[8] was offered some of the best education, training, and childhood in all of Greece. Hannibal, the son of Hamilcar , the Carthaginian administrator and general, would receive training, experience in military tactics and oathed to “crush the Romans”[9] all at a relatively young age. Unlike Alexander and Hannibal, Julius Caesar had to achieve and prosper on his own, only with determination and hard work. Caesar had to “encourage the enmity between Crassus and Pompey and hope to come out as sole survivor of the struggle.

When one of them seemed to be winning he could rush to his aid. But it was a risky plan”[10] only at this moment did Caesar truly feel and enjoy the power at an old age, something that Hannibal and Alexander felt already, as a young men. Although Alexander and Hannibal knew how to use power when they were dominate and given the chance, however Caesar was unprepared to secure position and authority, as Hannibal and Alexander were directly prepared. There has never quite been a man like Caesar nor will their ever be again. Julius Caesar was the greatest leader of the ancient civilized world.

It was Caesar’s ambition that drove him to conquer and force his way up to power, it was his rare military tactics that lead him to intelligence, and with no birthright he managed to gain power with determination and compassion. Julius Caesar is perhaps the greatest evidence that individuals make and change history. He proved himself both a military genius along with Alexander the Great one of the two greatest generals in history and a man of political vision in his understanding that Rome needed to expand its reach beyond the Mediterranean world. ——————————– [ 1 ]. C. M. Bowra, “Alexander the Great,” (1965) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 119 [ 2 ]. Trueman, John H, Dawn Cline Trueman “The Enduring Past,” (1982) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 124 1 [ 3 ]. Barzini, Luigi, “The Enigma of Caesar”, (1966) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 129 [ 4 ]. C. M.

Bowra, “Alexander the Great,” (1965) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 118 [ 5 ]. Trueman, John H, Dawn Cline Trueman “The Enduring Past,” (1982) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 122 [ 6 ]. Trueman, John H, Dawn Cline Trueman “The Enduring Past,” (1982) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 123 [ 7 ]. Barzini, Luigi, “The Enigma of Caesar”, (1966) in Civilizations in History, by M.

Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford 2 University Press, 1986) 129-130 [ 8 ]. C. M. Bowra, “Alexander the Great,” (1965) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 118 [ 9 ]. Trueman, John H, Dawn Cline Trueman “The Enduring Past,” (1982) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 122 [ 10 ]. Barzini, Luigi, “The Enigma of Caesar”, (1966) in Civilizations in History, by M. Dale Davis (Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986) 128 3

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