My pick (Leo) just went - I can't play anymore.
In the Military Leader category....
ALEXANDER OF MACEDONIA, otherwise known as ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Alexander III of Macedon (356–323 BC), popularly known as
Alexander the Great (
Greek: Μέγας Ἀλέξανδρος,
Mégas Aléxandros), was a
Greeki[›] king (
basileus) of
Macedon. He is the most celebrated member of the
Argead Dynasty and created one of the largest empires in
ancient history. Born in
Pella in 356 BC, Alexander was tutored by the famed philosopher
Aristotle, succeeded his father
Philip II of Macedon to the throne in 336 BC after the King was assassinated, and died thirteen years later at the age of 32. Although both Alexander's reign and empire were short-lived, the cultural impact of his conquests lasted for centuries. Alexander was known to be undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful commanders of all time.
[1] He is one of the most famous figures of
antiquity, and is remembered for his
tactical ability, for his conquests, and for spreading
Greek culture into the East, marking the beginning of
Hellenistic civilization.
Philip had brought most of the
city-states of mainland Greece under
Macedonian hegemony, using both military and diplomatic means. Upon Philip's death, Alexander inherited a strong kingdom and an experienced army. He succeeded in being awarded the generalship of Greece and, with his authority firmly established, launched the military plans for expansion left by his father. He invaded Persian-ruled
Asia Minor, and began a
series of campaigns lasting ten years. Alexander repeatedly defeated the Persians in battle; marched through
Syria, Egypt,
Mesopotamia,
Persia, and
Bactria; and in the process he overthrew the Persian king
Darius III and conquered the entirety of the
Persian Empire.
ii[›] Following his desire to reach the "ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea", he
invaded India, but was eventually forced to turn back by the near-mutiny of his troops.
Alexander died in
Babylon in 323 BC, before realizing a series of planned campaigns that would have begun with an invasion of
Arabia. In the years following Alexander's death, a series of civil wars tore his empire apart, which resulted in the formation of a number of states ruled by Macedonian aristocracy (the
Diadochi). Remarkable though his conquests were, Alexander's lasting legacy was not his reign, but the
cultural diffusion his conquests engendered. Alexander's importation of Greek colonists and culture to the East resulted in a new
Hellenistic culture, aspects of which were still evident in the traditions of the
Byzantine Empire until the mid-15th century. Alexander became legendary as a classical hero in the mold of
Achilles, and features prominently in the history and myth of Greek and non-Greek cultures. He became the measure against which generals, even to this day, compare themselves, and
military academies throughout the world still teach his tactical exploits.
iii[›]