The Best of the Best: A Comparatvie Analysis of Three Great Leaders
Three great leaders all from different periods in history. Each accomplished amazing things despite their setbacks and so we decided to put them head to head.
FAMILY: Caesar
All were born into wealthy and power families. Alexander and Baldwin both had the benefit of a royal upbringing, Alexander was obviously better off as Philip was not only king but one of the best. Baldwin’s mother was sent away, so his family wasn't perfect to say the least.
Caesar, while not royal, did have connections. His family had multiple consuls in its lineage, though none were particularly Earth shattering. Caesar’s Aunt married Gaius Marius, a great politician and leader, but this came back to haunt him when Marius died and his rival Sulla took power. His family begged Sulla to spare Caesar while he was in hiding, so they were obviously very loyal and devoted to the well-being of the young legend.
And of course, one cannot talk about Caesar’s family without mentioning the GOAT of heirs; Augustus (born Gaius Octavius). This absolute legend is really what made Caesar’s name so enduring, as the greatest leader in Roman history took his name for himself.
Alexander’s dynasty died out quickly after he died. Caesar’s dynasty became so powerful that his very name was used by all future emperors.
EDUCATION: Alexander
Caesar and Baldwin had no doubt some of the best tutors when they were young. Caesar was born into a patrician family, Marcus Antonio Gnipho taught him. While William of Tyre taught Baldwin; his education was rather Alexander-like. Yet Alexander’s education was on another level. Being tutored by Aristotle would already put him leagues above everyone else, but he was also taught mathematics, horse riding, archery, combat, reading and lyre playing. What a fucking combo!
All were naturally intelligent of course. Otherwise we wouldn’t be talking about them!
HEALTH: Baldwin IV.
Caesar was healthy. Alexander was healthy for most of his life though he was almost killed in battle. Hi health served him well really until a few days before his death. Baldwin IV suffered terribly and he died the youngest of the three. He went blind because he couldn't blink so his eyes DRIED out. Painful as fuck. He also didn’t seem to have any painkillers lying around so he was in constant pain, yet he STILL still led his men to battle from the front. He fought until he physically couldn't.
Caesar wins in longevity, but Baldwin wins in making the absolute most of what limited capacity he had. Fucking legend!
BATTLE: Caesar
All led from the front. Alexander's men often complain when he charged head first. But that didn't stop him. Though he was almost fatally wounded once he still showed great bravery
His men marched to the ends of the Earth with him, so that’s got to count for something!
Baldwin had plenty of excuses not to leave his bed yet became one of the most accomplished horse riders of his time. Also leading from the front. Even when in his litter. Though Caesar as a tactician wins here. Baldwin didn't conquer so we'll never know. Not saying he wasn't a warrior; but he was a protector. He was a Knight more than anything. So can't really compare.
Caesar always led his men properly, just as his idol Alexander did, though he was smarter about it. He never got seriously wounded as Alexander did, yet his men were just as loyal, if not more so, to him as Alexander’s men where to him. Never before did any Roman legion feel such loyalty to one man, for Caesar knew how to make them reach great heights. Nothing, not the unknown savagery that lay beyond the Rhine, nor the overwhelming force of opposition heaped before him by Pompey and the Optimates, could make Caesar surrender to the current. For he was the current.
Also Caesar has one more win here: Legio X Equestris.
REIGN: Caesar
Caesar’s reign was shorter than Alexander’s or Baldwin’s. He also had much, much more challengers to his legitimacy. Yet Caesar was arguably the most active, charismatic, and visionary leader Rome had seen up to that point. He championed worthy causes and projects such as building libraries, land reform in favor of the common people, land distribution for his legions, creating a more efficient calendar, numerous games and celebrations, and extending citizenship to many of those who lived outside of Rome. All I can say is that the people loved him for a reason.
Expanse wise sure, Alexander wins. When it comes to Virtue Baldwin wins. But when it comes to becoming the gold standard, being the ideal model of a great leader, Caesar trumps all.
In his life, Caesar was a Soldier, Lawyer, Religious leader, Governor, and finally a Dictator. But in the millenia since he died, Caesar has deservedly acquired the status of legend.
EMPIRE: Alexander
Perhaps Alexander’s most enduring accomplishment was that he built such a vast empire in just ten (10) short years. His great conquest started before he hit thirty, and when he died he was essentially the king of the known world. Greek cultural flourished in what became known as the hellenistic period, as Alexander’s legacy lived on in the successor states to his empire.
Even Caesar himself had to concede that Alexander’s accomplishments were so impressive and so great that even he, Gaius Julius Caesar, could never match them. Of course, age plays a factor. If Alexander had lived longer his empire may have become greater than what Rome would eventually become. The dreams of a young king, and the march of a great army loyal to his vison, is what every conquer aspires to. It should come as no surprise that the greatest of men throughout the ages viewed Alexander as the ideal king. An unconquered king.
Baldwin didn’t conquer, but he was effective at other things. Such as…
REGENCY: Baldwin IV
He was by far the best regent in terms of how he treated and was viewed by his people. Alexander and Caesar could both be considered tyrants by any opposition, and had various challenges to their legitimacy. Athens and many other Greek states hated Macedonia, resenting their “barbaric’ overlords from Northern Greece. Caesar was very generous to his foes (unless you were Vercingetorix), but that didn’t stop them from stabbing him like a salad. Probably because they resented his reforms, so maybe Caesar should have surrounded himself with people who shared his vision. There’s a lesson in there. His clemency towards his political enemies proved to be his undoing, and Augustus would not repeat his mistake. Now try asking Thebes about Alexander’s clemency…
Baldwin IV was cool by all accounts. No one really had any personal animosity towards him.
WEALTH: Caesar
Alexander and Baldwin were both rich as fuck due to their royal inheritance, though they didn’t use their wealth beyond what was standard for rulers at the time.
Caesar although born rich lost most of it when exiled. Even without his inheritance, he still managed to secure vast riches for himself and his legions through his skill at conquering and badass leadership skills. Also he left his fortune to the people of Rome in his will, so he definitely did the most good with his money.
BADASSERY: Caesar
Alexander most likely was able to do the badass things he did because he knew he had the support of his father's empire. Baldwin was no joke either; this dude fought in wars with heavy armor while dealing with leprosy. Caesar wins here because he had to build up everything he had after his inheritance was taken from him by Sulla. In fact, Caesar joined the army to be far away from Rome incase Sulla got cranky again.
Caesar’s badassery was legendary. This dude kicked ass in Gaul, Germania, Britain, Pharsalus, Thapsus, Hispania, and was overall just phenomenal at winning.
Also, the sheer defiance he showed in the face of overwhelming odds is nothing short of spectacular. Pompey and the Senate though Caesar was finished, that this man who never yielded to their elitist thuggery would be forever defeated and disgraced. Yet at Pharsalus, outnumbered 2-to-1, Caesar delivered his most glorious victory, forcing Pompey to flee to Egypt (where he would be killed) and winning over crucial provinces to his side. He kicked Pompey’s ass. Don’t fuck with this man. He was arrogant but he earned that right.
There’s also the story where he was kidnapped by pirates, laughed at his ransom believing that it was too low for a man of his status, and proceeded to hunt down and crucify all the pirates on that ship after he was let go. As I said, don’t fuck with this man.
DEATH: Caesar
What can I say? Caesar’s death was tragic yet so legendary that Shakespear made a whole play about it. The people he trusted most killed him, and his death sparked yet another civil war (Same with Alexander, but his death didn’t inspire any successor to truly carry on his legacy. Instead, his empire was divided permanently). Alexander died of disease and well so did Baldwin. Both died younger too.
LIFESPAN: Caesar
He lived the longest. HAHA
TITLE: Caesar
There have been many "the Greats". Alexander was not the first. And that title was given later. Caesar's name forever goes lives on. Rome’s greatest leader, Augustus, took his name. As did all subsequent emperors until it eventually become a permanent feature of the throne. The sheer power of Caesar’s name alone is shown by the fact that his name now means KING. Tsar, Kaizer are all spellings/forms of Caesar. That's how much of a legend he is. Baldwin IV The Leper King, dope title but that's all it is.
