In ancient times military leaders were expected to join in on

The last ruler who commanded his own troops was Napoleon. All his enemy rulers were sitting safely back at home in their comfy palaces while millions were slaughtered on their behalf.

In the past the easiest way to attain power was using violence, so the elite were pretty hardcore, now they can use complex political and financial systems

>>1389245
Nevermind wrong thread

>>1389238
then he lost his final battle when health problems kept him off the battlefield

When it became difficult or impossible to run a modern war without extremely complicated logistical systems.

General officers handle logistics. Field grade officers and enlisted men handle tactics.

>>1389238
Actually the last ruler to command his own troops on the battlefield was Napoleon III.

Which is how he got captured by the Prussians and the war was lost.

>>1389273
who handles strategy?

>>1389291
I kind of butchered that line about tactics, strategy, and logistics.

Generally speaking, strategy is supposed to be the work of civilian policymakers, but general officers can and do have their own opinions.

Hence why you get MacArthur getting fired for fucking with Truman, and then running off to Congress to cry.

>>1389229
It's simply division of labour. The people who are good at winning wars aren't necessarily the same people who are good at hitting people over the head.
People who are good at both are rare, so the nations that realise that listening to the smart guy who stays in the back will come out on top over the guys following the not-so-smart guy who's good at hitting people really hard.

>>1389229
I'd say the Geneva Convention should be revised to define political leaders and all government employees as combatants.

>>1389279
Yohannes IV fought beside his men in the Mahdist War.

>>1389229

Didn't Hannibal command from the rear?

Because of the leader dies, the war is lost more than likely. This isn't fucking difficult

>>1389303
*teleports behind Truman*

Pssht. Nothin' personal, kiddo.

>>1389229
The modern battlefield is a lot wider and bigger than ancient times. It's impossible to micromanage on the modern battlefield.

>>1389229
It's because warrior caste was also the ruling one in the past.

Today the world is ruled by bureaucrats and businessmen.