There are many qualities needed to be a successful general, they can be divided into two categories as I see it: those of character, i.e. personal leadership, and those of professional and tactical ability. When it comes to leadership on the field, the first category is slightly more important than the second, although it is obviously useless if separated from the second, and vice versa. Alexander III of Macedonia and Hannibal of Carthage are considered among the greatest generals who ever lived. Alexander's legendary exploits and his ability to grasp the strategic and tactical situation are absolutely worth studying by all military leaders learning the art of war. What he managed to accomplish before the age of thirty-three is nothing short of a Herculean effort, much like that of his hero, Achilles, from Homer's Iliad. Alexander had founded some 70 cities, many of which bore his name, both as strongholds and as cultural and commercial centers, thus spreading Greek ideals and knowledge eastward to China. When Rome gained control of the Hellenistic world after 190 BC, Greek culture quickly infused that of Rome and together they formed the basis of modern Western culture. Alexander has implemented the new technologies and equipment to perfection. He almost always scouted his enemies and their terrain before moving against them to avoid being caught by surprise or at a disadvantage. Furthermore, Alexander placed himself at the center of every skirmish, where he could cause the most damage and take the greatest risk. His armies moved quickly, sometimes appearing suddenly in places they were thought unable to reach, and with their reputation for ferocity were often able to demoralize or frighten opposing armies into scattering... middle of paper ... economic instruments of power in coordination with military force to achieve its objectives. Likewise, when examining Hannibal's transcendent military genius, there can be no two opinions. He occupied hostile lands for fifteen years against a plethora of armies and their respective generals. As wonderful as his successes were, we must also consider the lack of support he received from Carthage. There is no way to properly compare Alexander and Hannibal's generals due not only to different enemies, Alexander fought a Persian empire in its waning hour while Hannibal fought Scipio as Rome was reaching the height of its power, but also styles of completely different lives. stratagem. What we can say is that both generals were brutally effective and during their heyday commanded among the deadliest fighting machines the Mediterranean had ever seen..