10 Most Decisive Ancient Generals

3. Alexander the Great


Battle of Gaugamela (Loss ratio 1:133); according to Curtius Rufus Alexander the Great or Alexander III of Macedon is one of the most successful military leaders in history. By the age of 30, he established one of the greatest empires in ancient era.

In the Battle of Gaugamela, Alexander faced Darius III of Achaemenid Persia, which resulted in a great defeat for the Persians. Darius amassed a large number of troops and significantly outnumbered Macedonian forces. Alexander’s tightly-packed infantrymen were equipped with six-meter spears (sarissa), which couldn’t be easily penetrated by Darius’ poorly trained and armed troops.

After the battle, Darius was killed when he attempted to flee and Alexander captured a large amount of loot from the Persian baggage train. The Battle of Gaugamela marked the end of the Persian Empire.