Who would you choose and why?

Firstly let me say that I am new to ATS and if this topic is in the wrong area I apologize.

In class last week I was given an assignment in Western Civilization. The assignment can be on anyone, doesn't matter who as long as I can get enough information to do a presentation. The only limitation I have is that he or she has to be found in the time period of 300 A.D. to 1300 A.D.

So what I would like to know, Is who is your favorite historic figure and why? For anyone who responds it doesn't neccessary have to be within my alloted timeframe, I'm just curious who you think the greats of history are.

Also I would like to say I AM NOT asking you to do my homework,although if you do have suggestions I would glady research into them

[edit on 16-12-2004 by MacKiller]

Alexander the Great.

Only man to ever conquer almost all of the known world.
He also strived to integrate the locals' traditions, in order to facilitate the blending of cultures within his empire.
He was a leader who personally led his troops in battle (something you'll never see in this day and age)

Nikita Khruschev and John F. Kennedy.

Not exactly in your timeframe, but these two guys prevented the Nuclear War and World devastation.

[edit on 16/12/2004 by khruschev]

Hell, they almost CAUSED it!!! Kruschev initiated it with the missiles in Cuba, then Kennedy escalated it by blockading the island! The only thing that prevented nuclear war was good old common sense, and the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction!

I would choose Attila the Hun.
He and his barbarian hordes were a good reason for China
to build the Great Wall. They kept getting attacked by these psychos.
The Huns were wild and crazy and practically lived on their horse's
backs.
Attila and the other barbarian hordes also helped to cause the downfall
of Rome.
He seemed to have been an extremely violent character but an important
part of world history.


[edit on 16-12-2004 by elaine]

Just a tidbit here...ever been to a Mongolian Grill?

The idea comes from the Mongol's practice of cooking with their shields, helms, etc. throwing whatever meat and veggies were available in the armor, heating over flame, hehe... Damn...now I'm hungry....

Originally posted by Gazrok
Just a tidbit here...ever been to a Mongolian Grill?

The idea comes from the Mongol's practice of cooking with their shields, helms, etc. throwing whatever meat and veggies were available in the armor, heating over flame, hehe...

Damn...now I'm hungry....

Nope Gazrock, 'fraid not. It sounds okay though I guess.
Would be too much too ask if a barbarian would at least wash his
shield first? Probably.

Genghis Khan.
because he is the one that has conquered the largest empire ever

Thanks everyone for your responses.

After doing some searching I think I'm going to do either William Wallace, or Hannibal of Carthage. I was going to do Atilla the Hun but someone in my class beat me to em

Originally posted by zensunni
Thanks everyone for your responses.

After doing some searching I think I'm going to do either William Wallace, or Hannibal of Carthage.

I suppose you inverted the dates then? Not 300AD to 1300BC? There is a great book on hannibal called, er, Hannibal. Its written like an authobiography. Worth reading even outside any assignment.

I was going to do Atilla the Hun but someone in my class beat me to em

Atilla the hun would fall out of the 300ad to 1300 bc time limit.
If it were a short presentation, I think Zenobia of Palmyra would be interesting. She lead a revolt of the people of hte city of Palmyra against the romans. Or you could pick chandragupta, an adventurer who carved his own empire out of india. Gazrok's mention of alexander is appropriate of course, or even any of his generals that took over the parts of his empire. Personally I think I'd pick JC. No, not that pacifistic jewish guy, but Julius Caesar. Or, if you want to pick someone a little less obvious, you could go with Pompey, or Sulla. Not to mention the various really ancient characters, like the classical greeks or egyptians and whatnot.

Or, if you want to be creative, you could make it about a fictional character, like a regular person that lived in a certain timeframe at a certain time, and talk about the things that they'd've done in their daily life while all this other history was going on. The teacher might think you are 'clever' then, and maybe you can slack off the rest of the year after that.

Attila the Hun would still fit within the time line ?

www.realm-of-shade.com...

Atilla the Hun (circa 406-53), king of the Huns (circa 433-53) One of the most feared and notorious barbarians
of all time, Attila is believed to be ofdistant Mongol stock, he ravaged much of the European continent during
the 5th century AD.

I also though of doing it on Julius Caesar and I will for sure check out some of your suggestions. Thanks alot.

As for the fictional bit .. I forgot to mention that it has to be a real figure.

[edit on 16-12-2004 by zensunni]

Whoops ...... 300 B.C. to 1300 A.D.!!!! sorry about that hehe my bad......

Marko Polo. You could tell of all his journeys to Asia and how historians changed his name from Polic to Polo. Its pronounced P-O-Lich. He wasnt really Italian. He was born on the island of Korcula which is in Croatia. He was Croatian. You could probably get a good grade on him.

My choices would be Alexander or Hannibal for their campaigns.
Budda for a philosophical view and if you can put aside the religious aspect Jesus probably had the most significant impact with regard to future empires.

This site - hyperhistory - is probably one of the best on the net to use as a place to start and narrow choices.

B.

Who would I choose? hmmm...

Makavelli, beacuse mostly everyone has taken some trait from him.

Jesus christ, boys large. 2000 bc and still going, untill the universe ends!

Telsa, because he was the best scientist EVER!

Queen elizabeth, she was a strong lady who never took crap off men!

And me!-LOL.

I would have chosen Vlad the Impaler, but he's 150 years or so too late.

Originally posted by Croat56
Marko Polo. You could tell of all his journeys to Asia and how historians changed his name from Polic to Polo. Its pronounced P-O-Lich. He wasnt really Italian. He was born on the island of Korcula which is in Croatia. He was Croatian. You could probably get a good grade on him.

I did a little search on ol Marko, and I bet he would make an awesome presentation. I've searched a few links myself but if you have any, please post them, I think I just may do him.

Thx Croat56 and everyone else for their help!
Also thx Bleys for the link

Alexander the great because he was a great leader, militant mind and conqeurer, I'd also choose him because he was of the few leaders that was openly gay, that I know of.
I'd also choose Buddha because of his accomplishments, compassion towards all, enlightenment.

Pretty much most of the ancient Greek and Roman soldiers were "bi" (not gay). (Glad I wasn't a soldier then, hehe...I wouldn't be down with that, hehe...)

Whoops ...... 300 B.C. to 1300 A.D.!!!! sorry about that hehe my bad......

That makes a bit more sense...

Wallace is a bit overdone don't you think? Braveheart, etc. kind of overexposed... If not Alexander, Hannibal is an excellent choice.

Originally posted by iori_komei
also choose him because he was of the few leaders that was openly gay, that I know of.

Alexander the great wasn't 'openly gay', his sexuality wasn't unusual for his time and amoung some of the greeks.

croat
He wasnt really Italian. He was born on the island of Korcula which is in Croatia.

But didn't italy run most of that part of the world? ALong with albania and other territory along the coast?