From the battlefield to the pages of books: discover the greatest warriors in history

From Alexander the Great to Joan of Arc, discover stories of determination and courage.

In the rich tapestry of history, there are figures whose bravery and military skill shaped the course of events and inspired generations. We are talking about them: the greatest warriors in history.

Men and women left their legacy in the form of victories, achievements and stories that are still told and admired by many today. Below you will find out who are the great warriors who left their mark on the history of humanity.

1.  Alexander, the Great

Alexander the Great was one of the greatest warriors in history. In just over a decade, the commander conquered many regions of the then-known world, including Greece, Egypt, Persia and India. 

Alexander was born in Pella, Macedonia, in 356 BC. The son of King Philip II, he was groomed to be a great leader. Thus, the Macedonian received a complete education, which included everything from military training to philosophy and literature.

Alexander climbed on the throne of macedon at the age of 20, shortly after his father died. He immediately began a series of military campaigns, with the aim of conquering the known world. 

A visionary leader, the great king believed in the importance of culture and education. As such, he built several cities, including Alexandria in Egypt, and one of the most famous and important libraries in the world. 

2.  Samurai Miyamoto Musashi

Miyamoto Musashi was a Japanese samurai who lived in the 17th century. The warrior is seen as one of the greatest swordsmen in history and is often referred to as the 'Sword Saint'.

Musashi was born in 1584 in Mimasaka province, Japan. His story began early in martial arts and, at the age of 13, he had already killed a man in a duel.

The samurai was a man of great intelligence who, in addition to studying martial arts, was also a talented artist. The swordsman wrote several books, including the “Book of Five Rings,” a classic treatise on martial arts.

It is worth mentioning that the samurai Musashi fought in many battles throughout his life and was never defeated. In fact, his reputation for invincibility made him one of the most feared warriors in Japan. Would you take him on?

3.  Leonidas I

If you're a Sparta fan, you've probably heard of Leonidas. After all, his legacy is recorded in the film 300, by Zack Snyder. Leonidas I was the king of Sparta from 491 to 480 BC and was known for leading 300 Spartans in the Battle of Thermopylae, in 480 BC, against a Persian army of over a million men.

Leonidas was born in Sparta, Greece, in 540 BC, the son of King Anaxandridas II and Queen Gorgo. The Spartan received a rigorous education, which prepared him to be a great warrior and leader.

In 491 BC, he ascended the throne of Sparta, shortly after the death of his father. He then began preparing for war against the Persians, who were invading Greece.

As we said earlier, Leonidas led an army of 300 Spartans to block the Persians' path at Thermopylae, a narrow gorge. The Spartans fought bravely against the Persians, but lost the war.

Although Leonidas died in battle, his sacrifice helped delay the Persian advance, giving the Greeks time to prepare for the Battle of Salamis, which the Greeks won.

4.  Genghis khan

Genghis Khan, also known as Temüjin, was the founder and first great khan of the Mongol Empire, which existed from 1206 to 1368. Seen as one of the greatest warriors in history, he was responsible for one of the most rapid imperial expansions ever documented.

Genghis Khan was born in Mongolia in 1162 into a noble family. At the age of nine, he lost his father and spent his childhood in poverty and misery. However, he was a cunning and ambitious young man, and soon began to build an army.

Genghis Khan led his army on countless conquests, which resulted in the unification of the Mongol tribes and the creation of what became known as the Mongol Empire. This empire expanded rapidly under his rule, conquering territories in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

It is worth mentioning that Khan helped spread Mongolian culture and promote trade and communication between different cultures. In fact, the empire was also responsible for a series of technological innovations, including the introduction of gunpowder to Europe.

5.  Joan of Arc

Finishing our TOP 5 of the greatest warriors in history, we have a woman of great faith and strength. Her name? Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who saved France.

Joan of Arc was a young French peasant girl who led the French army in the Hundred Years' War. The warrior was born in Domrémy, France, in 1412. The daughter of peasants, D'Arc did not receive a formal education. However, from a young age, she claimed to have visions of saints and angels, who asked him to lead the French army and liberate France from the English.

In 1428, she traveled to Chinon, where she met with King Charles VII. The warrior convinced the king to give her an army to lead, and he did so. Joan of Arc led the French army and won several victories, including the liberation of the city of Orleans.

In 1430, the English captured her and condemned her for heresy. She was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431, at just 19 years of age. Joan's death was such a shock to France that the warrior was rehabilitated in 1456 and canonized in 1920 by the Catholic Church.