Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-08-28
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of
the World.

The decisive battles of the world, those of
which, to use Hallam's words, " contrary event
would have essentially varied the drama Of the
world in all its subsequent scenes" are number
ed as fifteen by Professor Greasy, who fills the
chair of Ancient and Modern History, in the
University of London they are the grand sub
ject of two volumes by him, just from Bentys
press. These battles are
l. The Battle of Marathon, fought 400 B. G.
in which the Greeks under Themistocles defeat
ed the Pe+sia.as ssior oaFiur, tt.Oroby ttrrrrugy
back tide of Asiatic invasion, which else
would have swept over Europe.
2. The Battle of Syracuse, 4l3 B. c., in
which the Athenian power was broken, and the
West Of Europe saved from the Greek domina-
ton.
3. The Battle of Arbela, 331 B. c., in which
Alexander, by the defeat of Darius, established
his power in Asia, and by the introduction of
European civilization produced an effect which
may even yet be traced there.
4. The Battle of the Metaurus, fought 207
B. c., in which the Romans under the Consul
Nero defeated the Carthagenians under Hasdru-
bal, and by which the supremacy of the great
Republic was established.
5. The victory OF Arminius, A. D. 9, over
the Roman legions under Varus, which secured
Gaul from Roman domination.
6. at the Battle of Chalons A. D. 45l,
Actius defeated Attilla the Hun, the elfstyled
Scourge of God,' and saved Europe from en-
tire devastation.
z. The Battle of Tours, A. D. 732, in which
Charles Martel, by the defeat of the Saracens,
aveIted the Mahommedan yoke from the whole
of Europe.
8. The Battle Of Hastings, A, D. 1869, in
which William of Normandy was victorious
over the Anglo Saxon Harold, and the result of
which was the formation of the Anglo Norman
nation which now is dominant in the world.
8, The Battle of Orleans A. D, 1929, in
which the English were defeated and the inde-
pendent existence of France secured.
10. The defeat Of the Spanish Armada, A, D.
1888 which crushed the hopes of Papacy in
England
II. The Battle of Blenhein, A. D. 1704 In
which Marlborough, by the defeat Of Tallard,
broke the power and crushed the ambitious
schemes of Louis XIV.
IL. The defeat of Charles XII, by Peter the
i Great ut Pnltowa, A D. 1909, .-hioh -eeussl
the stability of the Muscovite Empire.
13. The Battle of Saratoga, A, D. lit, in
which Gen. Gates defeated Gen. Burgoyne, and
which decided the fate Of the American Revo-
) Iutionists by making France their ally and 9th
} er European powers friendly to them.
IA. The Battle of Valmy, A. d., 1892, il
: which the Continental Allies under the Duk
of Brunswick were defeated by the French un
der Dumouriez, without which the French Rev
olution would have been stayed.
Is. The Battle of Waterloo A. D. 1915, 1
E which the Duke of Wellington hopelessly de
, feated Napoleon, and saved Europe from hi
grasping ambition.
The defeat of the Spanish Armada may seer
out ofplace among the great battles of the worIt
but when we consider its effect upon the posi-
: tion of England in the worlds affairs, we mus
. own that its Importance as a controlling ever
t in the course Of time has not been over-rated
So also many great battles have been passe
= over as having turned no tide of human affairs
# for instance, Octavius Cssars victory over Ar
G tony at Actium, for the influence of Rome woul
: have been the same whether Augustus or Al
: tony, held the sceptre.-.N Y. Journal of Com
n n1erce