Greatest African Warrior Kings Of All Times..

               

SHAKA ZULU (1816-1828)

Shaka Zulu is a household name in Africa whenever might and brain on battlefields are discussed. He had a challenging childhood but never allowed it to be a stumbling block. Shaka was a military genus who refined many locally accepted war practices. Fearlessly he led his army against formidable enemies and came out victorious.History says Shaka was brutal and horrific on certain occasions. He carried out numerous assassinations, in some cases innocent villagers were executed.  He solidified and expanded the Zulu kingdom of South Africa.

THUTMOSE III 1479–1425 BC

Thutmose III had a long reign over Egypt.For 54 years he oversaw the progress of the most advanced civilization of that time. He stretched the powers of Egypt to far Northern and southern Syria through conquest, he was an intelligent statesman. Thutmose is regarded as the greatest war genius of ancient Egypt, Hence the name 'Napoleon of Egypt'. He also took lands in Canaan, Nubia and Mitanni cementing his lordship over a wide range of land across two continents.

SUNNI ALI BER 1464 – 1492

You must have heard the name 'Timbuktu' the acclaimed city of gold. Sunni Ali was the founder and first monarch of the famed Songhai empire. He founded the first capital of the Songhai empire Gao, from here he launched his conquests. He grew the strength of the empire to a zenith, then turned his attention towards the once mighty Malian empire. He subdued the once feared Malians taking their leading cities of which Timbuktu was the chief. He also established trade centers within his kingdom. Grain was the chief exported goods of the empire.

MANSA MUSA(c. 1280—c. 1337)

He was the the 10th emperor of the Malian empire. He took over an already established state. Musa did not hang his sword and relax, rather he continued the expansion of the great Malian empire. Mansa Musa took the Malian empire to a whole new level not only in military but in trade. During his reign the mining of gold increased so was the empire's wealth. Some claim he was the richest man to ever live because of his enormous wealth. He also started and completed so many buildings of architectural prowess within the Empire. He encouraged education establishing the university of Sankore.

HANNIBAL BARCA (247-183 BC)
Perhaps Hannibal was the greatest warrior Africa produced till date.His name is a household name all over the world. Till date his military tactics are studied in various Military academies.He is regarded by many military schools as the greatest military strategist of all time.
Hannibal can be regarded as the greatest freedom fighter of the continent. His country Carthage was under Roman rule and this did not go well with the warrior prince. Leading and army at the tender age of 26 c. he began a military campaign (the second Punic war) against the Roman empire that lasted for so many years. He marched into Italy and occupied Roman territories for 15 years. His presence in Italy was terror to the Romans, he defeated army after army sent to defeat him. Hannibal remained undefeated in Italy till he left Europe to defend Carthage. Defeated by the Romans at home in Carthage he fled to Seleucid where he joined the king's court as a military adviser. Seleucid went to war against Rome and Hannibal provided the best assistance he could give to the court of Seleucid. The Seleucid were defeated by the Romans and the great warrior fled. His final notable victory came at a naval battle against a fleet from Pergamon. Hannibal committed suicide rather than falling into the hands of his arch enemies- the Romans.

IDRIS ALOOMA (1580–1617)
Few kings are willing to risk their lives in battle, Idris Alooma was such a king.Idris Alooma was the Mai of Kaneem-Bornu empire between 1564–1596. His empire included areas of the modern day Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Like Shaka Zulu though before him, he reorganized the army and introduced various amendments. Idris Alooma made functional and easy to attain military policies. He extended the Sefawa power over the Kanuri empire. He also sought to expand the kingdom of Bornu. The majority of wealth flowing into the empire came through plunder and tribute from conquered lands. Idris Alooma also controlled trade routes to North Africa giving him a healthy monopoly. He began a steady campaign which united all semi-independent states within Bornu into a united Islamic state.Idris Alooma brought military and civil success to the kingdom of Bornu.