2007-03-13 22:59:52 · 8 answers · asked by scorpe_2000 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
If we phase out several characters of my country's history (and there's a number of people I like :) ), then it would be Cyrus the Great, king of Persia.
Raised as a son of a minor ruler, he builded one of the greatest empires of the ancient world. A brilliant commander, a wise and just ruler and a shrewd politician - the Greek-written histories of his country do not give him justice, unfortunately.
He had a deep respect for different cultures, allowing them to keep their customs and religion (even supporting it - when Jews were released from "Babilonian Imprisonment" after Cyrus overthrowing Babilon, he not only let them go back to Palestine under his troops protection, but also funded the Temple of Salomon's reconstruction and gave back all the liturgic equipment taken from it - as spoils of war - by the Babilonians).
Sure, this could have been sheer pragmatism - otherwise, he wouldn't be able to keep his empire without major rebellions. Still, it's a sign of great wisdom.
A pity his successors weren't so great.
2007-03-13 23:15:25 · answer #1 · answered by mat_wisniewski 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My favorites range between Julius Caesar, Alexander and Napoleon Bonaparte. I know all 3 were imperialists and demagogues, but there's also a commonality of tremendous strength, intelligence, fortune and personality that sets them apart. Being quite the reader of anything military, their campaigns were, for the most part, brilliant. They all have lasting legacies as well, be they right or wrong.
2007-03-14 09:33:23 · answer #2 · answered by Bob Mc 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Socrates the Athenian (circa 470–399 BC). An ancient Greek philosopher who is widely credited for laying the foundation for Western philosophy.
Plato's dialogues portray Socrates as a teacher who denies having disciples, as a man of reason who obeys a divine voice in his head, and a pious man who is executed for the state's own expediency.
I could not put anyone above him.
check for his life and his philosophy in:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socrates
2007-03-14 07:41:46 · answer #3 · answered by UncleGeorge 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Abraham Lincoln. He must have been a very intelligent man. His speeches were clever, though provoking, and witty. And, although the Civil War was tragic, it did free the ****** (the proper name at that time) from slavery.
2007-03-14 06:07:17 · answer #4 · answered by NeNe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have many favourite people in history. But my favourite would have to be Henry the 8th.
This guy was amazing, even though he may have not been the nicest, he certinly is interesting!!
Having 7 wives, chopping off a couple of their heads, killling thousands of crinmals (some innocent), and even just his children and their stories. They are fanastic!
2007-03-14 06:13:19 · answer #5 · answered by Cassie loves history 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Henry Ford he revolutionized the car industry and basically all industry with the Assembly line.
2007-03-14 10:39:38 · answer #6 · answered by Tom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alexander. He just rocked.
2007-03-14 06:14:28 · answer #7 · answered by Shriya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um...my choice would be Ghengis Khan...the most powerful human being ever born...
2007-03-14 06:28:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋