The Greatest Leaders of Western World

Alexander The Great

331 BCE

A Battle of Gaugamela was an extraordinary victory achieved against a numerically superior army on ground chosen by the Persians. It helped spread Greek culture to Eastern world, which was later important to world history. Thesis- following this victory, Alexander expanded the economy, spread Greek culture, and exposed Greece to Eastern culture.

General Hannibal

219 BCE

In the Second Punic War, the great Carthaginian general Hannibal invaded Italy and scored great victories at Lake Trasimene and Cannae before his eventual defeat at the hands of Rome's Scipio Africanus in 202 B.C. This is significant to Rome because they received more control and had the most power in the Mediterranean Region. Thesis- the Second Punic War put an end to Carthage's empire in the western Mediterranean and leaving Rome in control of Spain.

Julius Caesar’s Rise

52 BCE

Gallic Wars, campaigns in which the Roman proconsul Julius Caesar conquered Gaul. Caesar led his troops to victories throughout the province, his major triumph being the defeat of the Gallic army led by the chieftain Vercingetorix. The conquest of Gaul by Caesar was important because it resulted in a large area of western Europe coming under the sway of the Romans. Thesis- After this war, he acquired the military manpower, the plunder, and the prestige that he needed to secure a free hand.

The End of Roman Republic

31 BCE

At the Battle of Actium, off the western coast of Greece, Roman leader Octavian wins a decisive victory against the forces of Roman Mark Antony and Cleopatra, queen of Egypt. The Battle of Actium bares its significance in that it marks the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire. Thesis- after a string of defeats following Actium, Antony committed suicide by stabbing himself and died in Cleopatra's arms.

Constantine

312

Constantine defeated the superior forces of his rival Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge. Maxentius's forces attempted to retreat across the Tiber by way of the Milvian Bridge, but the bridge became overcrowded. The significance of the battle lies in the facts that this battle made Constantine end the Tetrarchy and established him as the sole ruler of Roman Empire. Thesis- after this victory, Constantine controlled the Western Roman Empire and paved the way for Christianity of Europe.

The Victory of the Frankish Kingdoms

732

Battle of Tours was a victory won by Charles Martel, the ruler of the Frankish kingdoms, over Muslim invaders from Spain. This battle stopped the northward advance of Islam from the Iberian peninsula, and is considered to be of macro historical importance, in that it halted the Islamic conquests, and preserved Christianity as the controlling faith in Europe. Thesis- this battle impacted Europe, helped lay the foundations of the Carolingian Empire, and Frankish domination of western Europe.

Charlemagne the Great

772

During the Saxon Wars, Charlemagne eventually forced the Saxons to convert to Christianity and declared that anyone who did not get baptized be put to death. These wars were significant because they resulted in the incorporation of Saxony into the Frankish realm and their conversion from Germanic paganism to Germanic Christianity. Thesis- following the victory, he tried to unite Western Europe under his power and convert Germanic people to Christianity.

Victory of Otto I

955

At the Battle of Lechfeld, Otto I brought his army into battle against the main Hungarian army that barred his way to Augsburg. The Magyars of Hungary were defeated by an army led by Otto I. This battle was important because the Hungarians reached the end of a century as Europe's dominant military. Thesis- after this battle, Otto I proclaimed emperor, father of the fatherland by his army, and crowned Holy Roman Emperor.

The Third Crusade

1191

The Battle of Arsuf was a battle during the Third Crusade which pitted English king Richard the Lionheart's Christian forces against Saladin's Muslim army in what Richard Spencer of the Times deems a great. An important victory for the Crusaders, Arsuf boosted their morale, and removed Saladin's air of invincibility. Thesis- sailing home via the Adriatic, Richard I was captured and imprisoned in the castle of Duke Leopold of Austria.

The Hundred Years' War

1415

During the Hundred Years' War between England and France, Henry V, the young king of England, leads his forces to victory at the Battle of Agincourt in northern France. This gave the English a success that repeated victories such as Crecy and Poitiers. Moreover, with this outcome Henry V strengthened his position in his own kingdom. Thesis- after the victory, Henry continued his march to Calais and arrived back in England.