Most powerful military in history?

[mastertyguy]

Will you use them? Your nukes are the most theorical of all theorical threats.

 

[Che Guava]

Will you use them? Your nukes are the most theorical of all theorical threats.

Indeed. I can't imagine any state in the world, no matter how 'rogue' they are, ever actually using a large-scale nuclear weapon intentionally. It's the unintentional that worries me.

Just seems fitting for humankind: we're all doomed to be 'deleted' one day by a computer error.

 

[Nyvin]

They were used on Japan....twice

 

[I am the Future]

They were used on Japan....twice

that was because they didnt know the long term effects and because no one else had them.

This is the largest problem with most WW3 ideas. People are afraid of "the bomb" so no to nations with "the bomb" will ever be in a war. this means that any world wars would be fought against third world nations.

Back on subject

Rome would have to win because they had the highest percent of the military in the known world.

 

[rilnator]

I don't sgree that America is, I mean they got beat by North Vietnam- Only half a country!

 

[antonio]

Rome would have to win because they had the highest percent of the military in the known world.

But only in the known world.

 

[Nyvin]

But only in the known world.

The same would apply to anyone...

 

[antonio]

Well for the rest of the the whole world was known except old china and Khan Mongolia. Who eoutside the known world could rival the golden horde. Old china was the other power during the roman world. Rome wasn't overwhelming strength over the rest of the world.

 

[Dreadnought]

Uh, the Egyptian Mamuluks did beat the Mongols...

I think Rome could beat China 1vs1 in a battle anyday!

 

[sydhe]

I'd favor China, until the Han Empire started falling apart in the late 2nd century AD. They even dealt well with mounted barbarians, which the Romans had trouble with.

 

[sydhe]

I've been trying to figure out whether India ever had the strongest military. I think the best candidate would be the Gupta dynasty in the fifth and early sixth century, unless you count Mahmud of Ghazni, who I think of as an Afghan or Turk.

 

[antonio]

Uh, the Egyptian Mamuluks did beat the Mongols../QUOTE]

They were in thw known world.

China was more advanced than Rome and had a more balanced army IMO.

 

[Dreadnought]

So who is there...besides the known world...?

 

[antonio]

Thats my point outside the known world at the time of the mongols there was no one who could rival them in military strength.

 

[nivekclough]

At first I was drawn to Rome, only to remember India and China (who could've put a hurt on Rome at the time).

Then I thought about Great Britian, but their army was lacking compared to that of other empires.

Ancient China again fails because of India (probably would've been fought to a standstill...)

Modern China isn't updated enough.

So I have to say: Modern-Day America (loosely defining modern day as WW2-Now)

I also see posts saying America "lost" in Vietnam. I disagree. The troops were pulled for political reasons. The commanders options were limited by our own politics. I don't think we lost though. Had we actually fought and stayed, it would have become another Iraq (which I also say we won... We accomplished our goals, even if it did cost way more life than I'd like!)

So in comparison to the whole world, probably America!

(However, one could make quite a compelling case for Sumeria... There weren't any other organized militaries at the time!)

 

[sabo]

I can't believe the USA are leading this poll

Most powerful military in history? At the moment the USA have the most powerful military yes but if someone said it is historically the most powerful military I would question their knowledge of military history.

I think alot are voting USA because the poster wan't time specific, of course the modern age USA would have no trouble wiping out roman legions.. But if he means for the "time" they were powerful, I would have to say either the Mongols , Rome, or Alexander... as all three pretty much controlled the known world at that time, the USA does not control the entire world at THIS time.

 

[antonio]

Britain is it's navy was strong enough to take on the whole world being an island wo needs a strong army if your anvy can take all comers.

 

[Slyk]

Shouldn't this poll be put in the context of 'age' of history? You end up comparing red apples to yellow ones etc. You could draw comparisons across the ages I suppose to draw out a 'most powerful'. The more advanced we become, I think the shorter the duration of that power becomes.

 

[blindside]

I think alot are voting USA because the poster wan't time specific, of course the modern age USA would have no trouble wiping out roman legions.. But if he means for the "time" they were powerful, I would have to say either the Mongols , Rome, or Alexander... as all three pretty much controlled the known world at that time, the USA does not control the entire world at THIS time.

Thats stupid logic. In that case the Aztecs were the most powerful civilization in the world because prior to the Spanish they were the most powerful in their known world. I'm sure the Chinese thought they were the most powerful in their known world.

The US does not control the whole world by having troops everywhere but still dominates like none other and has the military to beat anyone anywhere at anytime. The Romans and Alexander don't come close. Britain had the most powerful navy but their army was pretty much beaten by the Germans.

 

[Dreadnought]

Thats stupid logic. In that case the Aztecs were the most powerful civilization in the world because prior to the Spanish they were the most powerful in their known world. I'm sure the Chinese thought they were the most powerful in their known world.

I agree...this pole should be that they were strongest in the entire world, whether they knew the entire world or not (as in refering to Romans, Chinese, etc)