Genius Rulers of History?

Few can top Hannibal (if you can call him a ruler). He was an expert commander at both defense and attack, and expert diplomat and politician, an expert administrator, an expert at strategy, he knew his opponents and allies almost as good as they knew themselves, and got to a point where the best of the Roman commanders still feared encountering him even towards the end, when he hardly had a force that could stand up to anything left with him in Italy.

Edit: You can probably tell I just finished reading Dodge's book on Hannibal...

Seems pretty solidly based, however - even with the (acknowledged by the author, I believe) bit of hero worship Dodge feels, from what he presents, Hannibal deserves to be honored.

Hannibal was a very accomplished man, and his post-2nd Punic War record justifies at least honorary mention here.
 
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