Alexander in the Radio Times

[marcus]

Those of you not from the UK, the Radio Times is the TV listings magazine published by the BBC. This evening there was an excellent programme on Genghis Khan (on BBC1 - a joint production with Discovery, so I expect it will be on Discovery v. soon).Anyway, in the Radio Times this week, therefore, they asked three 'experts' to rate the greatest warriors: Genghis Khan, Hannibal, Caesar, Alexander and Boudicca. (No idea why they included Boudicca - probably because they wanted a Brit and they wanted a woman).So, the votes came out as:Number 1: Alexander ("Total Axe Rating" 15)Number 2: Genghis Khan ("Total Axe Rating" 13)Number 3 (joint): Caesar and Hannibal (TAR 12)Number 5: Boudicca (TAR 8 - but she was only a token, anyway)ATBMarcus

[Kit]

Hi Marcus,I meant to watch it, but got distracted by the Arsenal vs Tottenham match! Curse Football. I hope it is repeated sooner rather than later. I couldn't find anything on the BBC website to suggest a quick repeat showing?I'd probably agree with the experts, although with Hannibal as a clear bronze medal winner!ATBKit.

[Jenna Corinth]

Why shouldn't they include Boudicca? She was a warrior wasn't she?

[beausefaless]

Yea but her last battle (the most important) she lost due to the lack of pertinent communication with the base of her army, they were slaughtered and she died in disgrace. But up to this point her battles were brilliant, no doubt one of my favorite commanders.

[marcus]

She was a warrior, indeed; but she wasn't in the class of Caesar, Hannibal, Alexander et al. so I was surprised to see her included in the list of "top warriors of all time" (which was what the list purported to be - at least, of all ancient time). I'm willing to be convinced that there really was a place for Boudicca, but as yet I don't feel she deserved to be included.:-)ATBMArcus

[marcus]

I should just add, for clarification, that it's not because I have a problem with them including either a Briton or a woman ... but if the list is of the 'greatest' warriors, then there are plenty of others whom I feel would deserve a place before Boudicca - Belisarius, Trajan, Tamerlane, (possibly) Attila, Constantine ...ATBMArcus