1. Alexander the Great
Sure, he conquered most of the known world by the time he was 30. BUT DID YOU KNOW: He married twice - once out of love, the other for political reasons.
2. Hannibal Barca
Sure, he was undefeated against the Romans - being so successful that they even put his strategies to use. BUT DID YOU KNOW: When he was a child, his father held him over the roaring fire of a sacrificial chamber and made him swear to never be a friend to Rome.
3. Julius Caesar
Sure, Julius Caesar had absolute control of the Roman Republic at its peak of power. BUT DID YOU KNOW: He had epilepsy.
4. Attila the Hun
Sure, he was the leader of the Hunnic Empire and was known and feared for his relentless cruelty. BUT DID YOU KNOW: He was buried in a coffin of gold, which was then put in a coffin on silver, which was then put in a coffin of iron. When the men who buried him returned from the burial ground, they were killed, because no one is allowed to know where Attila is buried.
5. William the Conqueror
Sure, he led the Norman invasion on England, which was the last time that a foreign power successfully did so. BUT DID YOU KNOW: Always a fit man, he was touchy about his weight later in life since he had noticeably ballooned up. He invented a diet where he’d only drink wine and spirits. When he died, his coffin was too small, and when they tried to stuff him into it, he exploded. Seriously.
6. Genghis Khan
Sure, he founded the Mongol Empire, the largest contiguous empire in history. BUT DID YOU KNOW: He was born holding a blood clot in his fist, which apparently was a sign of great leadership skills.
7. Sir Francis Drake
Sure, he was a pirate role model, and essentially found and named New England. BUT DID YOU KNOW: He was the eldest of 12 children, all boys.
8. Francois L’Ollonais
Sure, he was arguably the most successful pirate when it came to land attacks. BUT DID YOU KNOW: After being captured by the Spanish, he was burned alive, cut into pieces, and eaten by cannibals. Allegedly.
9. Sir Henry Morgan
Sure he led and won the epic battle of Panama City. BUT DID YOU KNOW: The Captain Morgan rum we know today is based on a real guy. This one.
10. William Kidd
Sure, he’s the most famous privateer-turned-pirate in Scotland’s history. BUT DID YOU KNOW: One of Kidd’s old shipwrecks was found in the Dominican Republic in 2007 by an Italian tourist, just 10 feet under clear blue water.
11. Henry Every
Sure, he was the most feared pirate of the Red Sea. BUT DID YOU KNOW: His name is actually Ben.
Sure, he captured a ship which became his flagship “Queen Anne’s Revenge,” the most famous pirate ship known today. BUT DID YOU KNOW: He would put slow-burning fuses in his hair and beard during battle. This would create a cloud of smoke around him, and was used as a dumb but effective intimidation tactic.
13. Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts
Sure, he set a record for most ships plundered, at over 400. BUT DID YOU KNOW: He didn’t actually want to be a pirate. He was forced into it. And he was better than everyone.
14. George Washington
Sure, he was the first leader of the free world. BUT DID YOU KNOW: He never shook hands with anyone.