Greatest military leader in history

[politicus]

An impossible question since the conditions they operated under where so different. But give it a shot. Who were the greatest commander of all times?

[politicus]

Horatio Nelson- Admirals always get overshadowed by Generals in these discussions

Good point. But I think it is because their actions are generally less important. Naval battles can of course be crucial (and often has been), but most wars are after all decided by military campaigns on land.
Nelson is without doubt the greatest naval commander of all times.

[politicus]

Depends on the criteria you're using. Are you looking for an innovative genius, or an extremely successful conqueror?

The greatest had to have both qualities IMO. But ultimately success must be the most important criteria.

Do you care at all about the success of the leader beyond the battlefield?

No, that is clearly irrelevant.

Would you object to the leader in casu also being a ghoulish mass murderer?

We are talking about his abilities as commander, not moral habitus.

[politicus]

What! No option for Charles XII? I shall report this anti-Swedish bigotry ( ). This is the Swede that nearly toppled the czarship of Peter the Great and would have, in my opinion, had he not been shot in the foot and forced to lead from a stretcher at Poltava.

Well, this list is compiled by a Dane so you may be right ...;-) Gustav 2. Adolf and Karl 12. were great commanders.

I included Lee because this is an American forum, but I tend to agree with you. I thought about Patton too, but decided against it.

Wellington, Marlborough, Subutai and Prince Eugen are clearly also good contenders. 

[politicus]

Patrick1- I am very familiar with Mahan and that is very relevant...he also inspired the Great White Fleet

I agree with you that sea power is being very underrated.  I quite like the quote below.

"When word of a crisis breaks out in Washington, it's no accident that the first question that comes to everyone's lips is: 'Where's the nearest carrier?'"

President Bill Clinton

The US is in many ways an island nation because of the isolation of America from the rest of the world so of course naval power - especially air carriers - are important to you. But if we look at military leadership throughout history most of the important campaigns have been fought on land.
My own country is an island nation and almost all of our war heroes where admirals, so I am not biased against naval commanders, but if you look at the top commanders that changed history, you will find more generals.

But lets have two separate threads - one army, one navy.