01-20-2013, 03:26 AM
I think evidence for greatest Roman general overwhelmingly leads one to Caesar. His speed, decisiveness and tenacity coupled with (usually) good judgment & well-trained legions become impressive when you do a quick review of some of his military operations.
In Gaul he fought Germans and Gallic tribes constructing a navy against the Veneti, iirc wheeling his third line against a flanking attack by the Helvetii then flanking the enemy, his siege of Alesia and so on. Crassus fouled it up at Carrhae in 53BC against a clever opponent (Surena), something one can’t imagine Caesar doing (the same time Crassus was in the east he was building the bridge on the Rhine).
During the Civil War his more strategic thinking developed as well. He realized he needed to defeat Pompeii’s legions in Spain to protect his rear. After set-back at Ebro he manages to maneuver his forces into making the enemy react by restricting their supply routes and then essentially winning the ‘battle’ with no losses.
I think Caesar’s political astuteness added to his generalship, whether in squabbles between tribes, when friends (Aedui) own loyalty waivered or clemency (esp during the Civil War) against opponents.
Many claim he was reckless, JFC Fuller really pushed this view (he also seems to dislike Caesar intensely) but I think that misses the point; his swift action and resourcefulness in moments of crisis are part of why he was a ‘great’ general. As with the SAS motto; 'Who Dares Wins'.
In Gaul he fought Germans and Gallic tribes constructing a navy against the Veneti, iirc wheeling his third line against a flanking attack by the Helvetii then flanking the enemy, his siege of Alesia and so on. Crassus fouled it up at Carrhae in 53BC against a clever opponent (Surena), something one can’t imagine Caesar doing (the same time Crassus was in the east he was building the bridge on the Rhine).
During the Civil War his more strategic thinking developed as well. He realized he needed to defeat Pompeii’s legions in Spain to protect his rear. After set-back at Ebro he manages to maneuver his forces into making the enemy react by restricting their supply routes and then essentially winning the ‘battle’ with no losses.
I think Caesar’s political astuteness added to his generalship, whether in squabbles between tribes, when friends (Aedui) own loyalty waivered or clemency (esp during the Civil War) against opponents.
Many claim he was reckless, JFC Fuller really pushed this view (he also seems to dislike Caesar intensely) but I think that misses the point; his swift action and resourcefulness in moments of crisis are part of why he was a ‘great’ general. As with the SAS motto; 'Who Dares Wins'.
Frank
