- 14 Apr 2003 23:52
#201315
Criteria for my list:
1. Must have made positive contributions to the world or his/her society. The person doesn't have to have made a giant impact over huge areas, but they had to at least make a giant impact on one region.
2. MUST BE CHOSEN FOR REASONS OTHER THAN MILITARY VICTORIES AND EXPANSION. (i.e. No Genghis Khan's!)
3. Please, no Lenin or Stalin. I already know most of you love them for some reason. Keep it out of this post.
4. No religious personalities. (Mohammad, Jesus...)
HERES MY PICKS:
1. Charlemagne_ Probably the most positive figure in history. He temporarily ended feudal rule in Western Europe and was focused on teaching everyone, even the poor, so that everyone in his lands had the opprotunity to prosper. He made great leaps in education and spread the idea of unity rather than feudalism.
2. Alexander the Great_ Not only was Alexander the Great a great general, but he was a very capable leader also. Alexander the Great established prosperous cities all over the world. He tolerated all beliefs like no one before or after him. He encouraged scholastic growth and libraries. Most of his enormous empire was loyal to him because of his acceptance, and he was not brutal to any of them. Had he not died prematurely only a couple of years after his military campaigns, he would have turned his empire into not only the largest superpower in history, but the most prosperous one yet known.
3. Pericles_ Although some considered Athens a tyrannical city-state that only thrived by manipulating its neighbors, it is undeniable that during Pericles's time in power, the world saw the fastest philosophical, scientific, and artistic growth it would ever see. Hundreds of Athenians during Pericles' rule are recognized names in their fields. Pericles allowed Athens to maintain sovereignty and brought it to its greatest cultural height, a height that would never be matched by another civilization. Had Pericles not died along with thousands of his fellow Athenians in the plague during the Pelopennesian Wars, Athens would have continued to prosper and push the world forward with its innovative citizens. Unfortunately, he was replaced by a series of incapable leaders who all but gave the Delian Confederacy up to the Pelopennesian League.
4. Frederick II_ Although he ignored his German states and allowed the Holy Roman Empire to collapse, he united southern Italy through education and made it the greatest culture of his time. He established Europe's first great universities, and and was a key figure in ending the Medieval period. He debatedly engineered the Renaissance. brought about the Renaissance Like Alexander the Great and Pericles, his life's potential was never seen. As he began turning Sicily into the most prosperous region of the world, the pope forced him to crusade, wasting many years and weakening his creation.
1. Must have made positive contributions to the world or his/her society. The person doesn't have to have made a giant impact over huge areas, but they had to at least make a giant impact on one region.
2. MUST BE CHOSEN FOR REASONS OTHER THAN MILITARY VICTORIES AND EXPANSION. (i.e. No Genghis Khan's!)
3. Please, no Lenin or Stalin. I already know most of you love them for some reason. Keep it out of this post.
4. No religious personalities. (Mohammad, Jesus...)
HERES MY PICKS:
1. Charlemagne_ Probably the most positive figure in history. He temporarily ended feudal rule in Western Europe and was focused on teaching everyone, even the poor, so that everyone in his lands had the opprotunity to prosper. He made great leaps in education and spread the idea of unity rather than feudalism.
2. Alexander the Great_ Not only was Alexander the Great a great general, but he was a very capable leader also. Alexander the Great established prosperous cities all over the world. He tolerated all beliefs like no one before or after him. He encouraged scholastic growth and libraries. Most of his enormous empire was loyal to him because of his acceptance, and he was not brutal to any of them. Had he not died prematurely only a couple of years after his military campaigns, he would have turned his empire into not only the largest superpower in history, but the most prosperous one yet known.
3. Pericles_ Although some considered Athens a tyrannical city-state that only thrived by manipulating its neighbors, it is undeniable that during Pericles's time in power, the world saw the fastest philosophical, scientific, and artistic growth it would ever see. Hundreds of Athenians during Pericles' rule are recognized names in their fields. Pericles allowed Athens to maintain sovereignty and brought it to its greatest cultural height, a height that would never be matched by another civilization. Had Pericles not died along with thousands of his fellow Athenians in the plague during the Pelopennesian Wars, Athens would have continued to prosper and push the world forward with its innovative citizens. Unfortunately, he was replaced by a series of incapable leaders who all but gave the Delian Confederacy up to the Pelopennesian League.
4. Frederick II_ Although he ignored his German states and allowed the Holy Roman Empire to collapse, he united southern Italy through education and made it the greatest culture of his time. He established Europe's first great universities, and and was a key figure in ending the Medieval period. He debatedly engineered the Renaissance. brought about the Renaissance Like Alexander the Great and Pericles, his life's potential was never seen. As he began turning Sicily into the most prosperous region of the world, the pope forced him to crusade, wasting many years and weakening his creation.
But I quite honestly think that Ramses II (the great) of Egypt was one of THE best rulers of all time. He was a New Kingdom (I think 19th dynasty) pharaoh who ruled some 75 years after Tutankhamen.
By the way, while cherching photos of his mausoleum, i came across speeches of him in .ram format, quite interesting to hear, even if i didn't understand a word.
- By wat0n
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