Paton believed in reincarnation, what did he think he had done before?

Question

George S. Paton

Patton really did believe in reincarnation, this was not just for the movie:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Patton

Patton, along with many other members of his family, often claimed to have seen vivid, lifelike visions of his ancestors. He was a staunch believer in reincarnation, and much anecdotal evidence indicates that he held himself to be the reincarnation of the Carthaginian general Hannibal, a Roman legionnaire, a Napoleonic field marshal, and various other historical military figures.

Answer 1

Actually - he did not.

This was just some BS that was put in the movie.

The truth of the matter is that when Patton made his "I was there" comments he was referring to a sabbatical he had taken a decade before where he had done 'terrain walks' on most of Europe's famous battlefields.

Answer 2

Ya answered your own question sweetie. :-D He believed himself to be the reincarnation of Hannibal. (not Lecter, smartasses..) It's an interesting fact that he had frequent powerful bouts of Deja-vu. Often these deja-vu's occured on locations believed to have been battle sites where Hannibal fought What's more compelling are the accounts of a few of his subordinates. They reported Gen. Patton as having detailed knowledge of these sites he could'nt possibly have known, or deduced beforehand.

Answer 3

From what I remember, I think Patton always believed he was the reincarnated Alexander the Great. I might be wrong though.

EDIT: It was actually Hannibal, not Alexander.

Answer 4

Whereas the film Patton (superbly played by George C. Scott) depicted his beliefs in that he participated in previous historical battles under various great leaders - I'm not at all convinced that he alone gave that impression or was entirely responsible for its publication. All great man have many myths accredited to them. Invariably to engender a legend and/or to portray attributes equal to or in access of historical figures. On occasion, great man appear at times of crisis and rally armies, people and their nations. Indubitably, in the annuals of American history Patton was such a man. However, I hesitate to believe in that he considered himself equal to historical great man of bygone periods - who in fact - considered themselves to be Gods.

Answer 5

he thought he was julius caesar in a nother life and all the battle grounds he walked he claimed to have walked before the only deference was julius fought from germany to england and then back the reverse of patton

Answer 6

He was also a Nazi sympathizer. He wanted to side with the Germans and fight the Russians. Military Genious? Yes, a little off his rocker? Definetely.

Answer 7

I don't know but may died an was brought back to life we he really saw God up in heaven and thought it was reincarnation.

Answer 8

He Believed he was a soldier in the battle of troy