of high military rank
, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given.
The term "general" is used in two ways: as the generic title for all grades of general officer; and as a specific rank. Since the late twentieth century, the rank of general is usually the highest active rank of a military not at war.
The various grades of general officer are at the top of the rank structure.
49 BC Julius Caesar's general Gaius Scribonius Curio is defeated in the Second Battle of the Bagradas River by the Numidians under Publius Attius Varus and King Juba of Numidia. Curio commits suicide to avoid capture.
475 The Roman general Orestes forces western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos to flee his capital city, Ravenna.
533 General Belisarius of the Byzantine Empire defeats Gelimer and the Vandals at the Battle of Ad Decimium, near Carthage, North Africa.
533 Byzantine general Belisarius makes his formal entry into Carthage, having conquered it from the Vandals.
538 Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving the city in the hands of the victorious Roman general, Belisarius.
1814 War of 1812: In central Alabama, U.S. forces under General Andrew Jackson defeat the Creek at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
1814 War of 1812: General Phineas Riall advances toward the Niagara River to halt Jacob Brown's American invaders.
1836 Texas Revolution: A day after the Battle of San Jacinto, forces under Texas General Sam Houston capture Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
1836 Texas Revolution: A day after the Battle of San Jacinto, forces under Texas General Sam Houston capture Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.
1846 Mexican-American War: General Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey.
1847 Mexican-American War: United States forces led by General Winfield Scott take Veracruz after a siege.