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MMC
05-05-2012, 12:57 AM
Who is one of your Greatest People in History? If Christ was the man that impacted the World in the First Millenium. What Man or Woman has had the Greatest Impact Upon the 2nd Millenium? That stands out amongst all men and women.

Mister D
05-05-2012, 10:43 AM
Few individuals can be said to have had a strong impact on an entire millennium. True, figures like Jesus and Paul had such an enormous impact on human history but exceedingly few can really compete on that level.

Chris
05-05-2012, 10:55 AM
Plato, Aristotle. Adam Smith, Marx.

MMC
05-05-2012, 11:04 AM
Few individuals can be said to have had a strong impact on an entire millennium. True, figures like Jesus and Paul had such an enormous impact on human history but exceedingly few can really compete on that level.

Myself.....I was thinking of Leonardo Da Vinci. Able to not only influence man, but countries and an entire planet. A few steps ahead of Einstein I would say.

Chris
05-05-2012, 11:10 AM
Newton's probably had more influence than Einstein.

MMC
05-05-2012, 11:16 AM
Newton's probably had more influence than Einstein.

Still I don't think Newton was on the ground Da Vinci was.

Althought Einstein had the benefit of modernization and technology over that of Newton. At least in being able to reach out all over the planet.

Vilifier of Zombies
05-05-2012, 11:25 AM
George Herman Ruth, Jr., Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, & Marshal of Finland Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim

Captain Obvious
05-05-2012, 02:24 PM
http://youoffendmeyouoffendmyfamily.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ron-jeremy.jpg

Peter1469
05-05-2012, 02:26 PM
Alexander the Great. He brought Greek thought to much of the known world.

Mister D
05-05-2012, 02:52 PM
Columbus comes to mind. His voyages helped inaugurate a massive and ongoing exchange not just of ideas but of people, plant, and animals. Latin America was transformed not just by the decline of the indigenous civilizations but also by the transformation of the land.

Vilifier of Zombies
05-05-2012, 03:40 PM
Henry Pottinger, Henry John Temple, and James Lancaster are all notable in their own rights as well.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/472932/Henry-Pottinger

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/440205/Henry-John-Temple-3rd-Viscount-Palmerston

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/328997/Sir-James-Lancaster

Chris
05-05-2012, 03:45 PM
"Greatest People in History" ought not to be a person but a group of people. Like the Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Christians, the French and the Scottish Enlightenment, the Founding Fathers.... And that's just some of the West.

Vilifier of Zombies
05-05-2012, 03:58 PM
"Greatest People in History" ought not to be a person but a group of people. Like the Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Christians, the French and the Scottish Enlightenment, the Founding Fathers.... And that's just some of the West.

I agree, that's why I'd posted three at a time - twice over - my post prior I went with the East - the contributions of the three I'd mentioned helped the UK gain both economic and political control over a half a billion people at the turn of the 19th century.

MMC
05-05-2012, 08:42 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_3qOFuheB4

I will let history make the case for Leonardo.

MMC
05-05-2012, 08:43 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWNf-6NJIhc

Part 2.

MMC
05-05-2012, 08:44 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqB9UMO22t0

Part 3.

MMC
05-05-2012, 08:53 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU3moyt2x3U

Part 4.

MMC
05-05-2012, 08:56 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e52uBAP61k

Part 5.

The Italians do have some Impressive People to throw Out there. Da Vinci, Colombus, Galileo.

MMC
05-05-2012, 09:15 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcnRpQcaF50

Part 6. Da Vinci was a Scientist, Engineer, and a Inventor. Plus artist and sculptor.

MMC
05-05-2012, 09:16 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVyKysj2WeU

Part 7.

MMC
05-05-2012, 09:20 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xins9sXbOxk

Part 8.

MMC
05-05-2012, 09:22 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoxKVhgAXLo

Part 9.

MMC
05-05-2012, 09:24 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfu4nL1mU-k

Part 10 and the finale. Hard pressed to find others in history to compare with.

Conley
05-06-2012, 11:00 AM
How is it that JGreer's name hasn't come up in this thread yet?

Captain Obvious
05-06-2012, 11:02 AM
How is it that JGreer's name hasn't come up in this thread yet?

I forgot about that dude, whatever happened to him?

Conley
05-06-2012, 11:12 AM
I forgot about that dude, whatever happened to him?

Not sure, maybe he moved on to a forum that appreciated his 'brilliance'? :grin:

Captain Obvious
05-06-2012, 11:14 AM
Oh yeah, he was Al Bundy, scored 5 TD's at a Polk High game or something like that.

Conley
05-06-2012, 11:16 AM
Right, and taught Tom Brady everything he knows. He only played as a favor to the coach though. :wink:

MMC
05-06-2012, 11:25 AM
:laugh: and here I thought CL was trying to bring up Rosie Greer as one of his Greatest in History. :evil:

a777pilot
05-19-2012, 05:57 PM
Genghis Khan for one.

The worlds businessmen, for they have brought worth more advancements to humans and the arts than any other group.

MMC
05-19-2012, 06:17 PM
I would agree that Ghengis Khan opening the East to the West and ruling one of the largest land masses would be worthy.

Peter1469
05-19-2012, 06:22 PM
I would call him infamous....

Mister D
05-19-2012, 07:12 PM
Ghengis Khan hardly belongs on such a list. The Mongols left no legacy and contributed virtually nothing to civilization.

The world's businessmen is far too vague a category, IMO.

MMC
05-19-2012, 07:15 PM
Ill'give them the the first pony land express. :wink:

a777pilot
05-19-2012, 07:54 PM
Ghengis Khan hardly belongs on such a list. The Mongols left no legacy and contributed virtually nothing to civilization.



Then you need to read history.

Mister D
05-19-2012, 07:59 PM
Then you need to read history.

I have. You can correct me where I'm wrong. Or not. Shrug.

a777pilot
05-19-2012, 08:05 PM
I have. You can correct me where I'm wrong. Or not. Shrug.

You are right. That came out wrong. I apologize.

What I meant to say is.....if you have the time read "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World" by Jack Weatherford. I've read it twice. It's fascinating to say the least.

Peter1469
05-19-2012, 08:08 PM
You are right. That came out wrong. I apologize.

What I meant to say is.....if you have the time read "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World" by Jack Weatherford. I've read it twice. It's fascinating to say the least.

Can you give us a short summary?

Peter1469
05-19-2012, 08:10 PM
I would expect, without reading the book, that Genghis Khan's murderous rampage caused the survivors to invovate in new ways that advance human progress.

a777pilot
05-19-2012, 08:23 PM
Universal education.

Promotions by merit vice who your family was.

Diplomatic immunity.

A postal system.

Paper money.

The list goes on. It is a good read.


....and, yes, he was not a very nice man. Most great leaders in the era were great leaders by the use of the sword.

Mister D
05-19-2012, 08:32 PM
Universal education.

Promotions by merit vice who your family was.

Diplomatic immunity.

A postal system.

Paper money.

The list goes on. It is a good read.


....and, yes, he was not a very nice man. Most great leaders in the era were great leaders by the use of the sword.

Humanity owes precisely none of those things to the Mongols.

Mister D
05-19-2012, 08:34 PM
I would expect, without reading the book, that Genghis Khan's murderous rampage caused the survivors to invovate in new ways that advance human progress.

Murderous rampages certainly cause people to react although I'm not buying the inclusion of Ghengis Khan in our list assuming an overall (indeed, overwhelming) positive or at least neutral legacy is our criteria.

Peter1469
05-19-2012, 08:36 PM
Murderous rampages certainly cause people to react although I'm not buying the inclusion of Ghengis Khan in our list assuming an overall (indeed, overwhelming) positive or at least neutral legacy is our criteria.


Agreed. That is why I said infamous above.

Mister D
05-19-2012, 08:37 PM
Oh, and the "modern world" is the creation of white European males for better or worse. I'm an outspoken critic of modernity so this is not chauvinism.

Edit: 777, I have a profound appreciation for history and didn't mean to get off on the wrong foot with you.

a777pilot
05-19-2012, 11:38 PM
Humanity owes precisely none of those things to the Mongols.

Read the book.

First is first.

Who invented gun power?
Who invented the compass?
Who invented the printing press?

The list goes on and on.

Mister D
05-20-2012, 08:55 AM
Read the book.

First is first.

Who invented gun power?
Who invented the compass?
Who invented the printing press?

The list goes on and on.

The Chinese are some smart folks but I'm not sure what that has to do with the Mongols.

Captain Obvious
05-20-2012, 09:12 AM
The Chinese invented the first rocket I believe, but aren't the Chinese and Mongols racially related?

Mister D
05-20-2012, 09:16 AM
The Chinese invented the first rocket I believe, but aren't the Chinese and Mongols racially related?

I think so. If you asked me I would say they are both east Asian populations or "Oriental". In fact, the scientific term is "Mongoloid". :laugh:

Captain Obvious
05-20-2012, 09:19 AM
I think so. If you asked me I would say they are both east Asian populations or "Oriental". In fact, the scientific term is "Mongoloid". :laugh:

I'm not as well learned as yinz guys on this history but I do recall reading somewhere the suggestion that Mongols were tribal and their racial heritage is somewhat undefined but it was thought that they were closely related to the Chinese.

Mister D
05-20-2012, 09:21 AM
I'm not as well learned as yinz guys on this history but I do recall reading somewhere the suggestion that Mongols were tribal and their racial heritage is somewhat undefined but it was thought that they were closely related to the Chinese.

On the other hand, they are culturally distinct and the Chinese considered them savages like most other central Asian peoples. RollingWave has a stronger background in Asian history. Perhaps he could chime in.

Calypso Jones
05-20-2012, 09:33 AM
Greatest people in history: Gathered into one group at the right place at the right time. Men of exceptional character, faith, integrity, intelligence, vision. The Founders of the United States. The signers of the Declaration of Independence/the authors of the Constitution.

a777pilot
05-20-2012, 09:46 AM
Greatest people in history: Gathered into one group at the right place at the right time. Men of exceptional character, faith, integrity, intelligence, vision. The Founders of the United States. The signers of the Declaration of Independence/the authors of the Constitution.

this ^^^^^^

MMC
05-22-2012, 07:55 PM
Another to be Considered would be Charlemagne.

MMC
05-22-2012, 08:00 PM
http://static.newworldencyclopedia.org/thumb/a/a4/Charlemagne-by-Durer.jpg/200px-Charlemagne-by-Durer.jpg

He is known as the Father of Europe.....

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Charlemagne

Grandson of Charles Martel.....The Hammer! :evil:

Mister D
05-22-2012, 08:12 PM
I think Charlemagne is a pivotal figure in early European history but where do we draw the line? I mean we can name important historical figures all day but how do we determine the "greatest" personages of all time? IMO, Jesus of Nazareth, Paul the Apostle, Columbus and a few of the other we mentioned qualify in so far as they were helped inaugurate a new age.

MMC
05-22-2012, 08:18 PM
I would say he was what helped the the Age of Reason come into play for Europe and the Church.

MMC
05-22-2012, 08:28 PM
I think Charlemagne is a pivotal figure in early European history but where do we draw the line? I mean we can name important historical figures all day but how do we determine the "greatest" personages of all time? IMO, Jesus of Nazareth, Paul the Apostle, Columbus and a few of the other we mentioned qualify in so far as they were helped inaugurate a new age.


Myself I think those that affected the known World for their time and that of the future. Would qualify as the greatest.

Although shouldn't we look at the specific act of Martel. As if he did not check the Muslim advance and stuff it in it's tracks. Things could be whole lot different for Europe and those around it. Which wouldn't that have affected life differently for those upon that continent?

Mister D
05-22-2012, 08:31 PM
Myself I think those that affected the known World for their time and that of the future. Would qualify as the greatest.

Although shouldn't we look at the specific act of Martel. As if he did not check the Muslim advance and stuff it in it's tracks. Things could be whole lot different for Europe and those around it. Which wouldn't that have affected life differently for those upon that continent?

The thing is that we could say this about a whole host of people.

Anyway, some argue that the Battle of Tours never actually happened or that it was small skirmish.

MMC
05-22-2012, 08:34 PM
The thing is that we could say this about a whole host of people.

Anyway, some argue that the Battle of Tours never actually happened or that it was small skirmish.

Whats your take on it?

Mister D
05-22-2012, 08:41 PM
Whats your take on it?

I couldn't say one way or the other. I think something happened but I do think it's possible that a skirmish in the Poitiers area took on legendary proportions while in reality there was a serious of engagements over several years or longer in which the Muslims were stymied. I read a theory regarding what I described in Military History Quarterly. I'll post the details when I get a chance. I still have the magazine.

Peter1469
05-22-2012, 09:26 PM
http://static.newworldencyclopedia.org/thumb/a/a4/Charlemagne-by-Durer.jpg/200px-Charlemagne-by-Durer.jpg

He is known as the Father of Europe.....

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Charlemagne

Grandson of Charles Martel.....The Hammer! :evil:

The Hammer was indeed one of the greats!

URF8
08-02-2012, 03:10 PM
I think Captain James Cook must be considered one of the greatest men in history. His three voyages of exploration and discovery expanded human knowledge of geography, biology, botany, astronomy, cartography, and navigation. His seamanship, surveying, physical courage and leadership were impressive. However, what distinguishes Cook from other great persons in history is his pursuit of knowledge for knowlege's sake.

He discovered the east coast of Australia and confirmed it was a continent. He discovered the Hawaiian Islands. He mapped the Northwest coast of North America. He mapped the mouth of the St. Lawrence River and the entire coast of Newfoundland. I've been to Cook Inlet in Alaska, the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, and to Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii where he died. There is even a hotel in Anchorage named for him.

The command module of Apollo 15 was named after Cook's ship the HMS Endeavour, and so was the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Even one of the craters on the moon is named after Captain Cook...as is a town in Hawaii.

Captain Cook was so admired by Benjamin Franklin that American naval commanders during the Revolutionary War were ordered to grant Captain Cook, his ship and crew safe passage through all waters. Captain Cook was not only a British hero...he was a treasure for all mankind. Moreover, he reflects in many ways the high tide mark of Western Civilization.

Ivan88
09-08-2012, 11:12 PM
Nicolas Tesla's discoveries and inventions powered the 20th Century.

The Rothschild dynasty developed and perfected the concept of sovereign national credit and credit money that has financed the 20th Century and beyond.

Martin Luther, who freed Europe from the oppressive darkness of religious dogmas, which released people to pursue a whole host of new explorations in knowledge.

3 major movers, that had a tremendous impact on the human condition.