Generalissimo

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For the 30 Rock episode, see Generalissimo (30 Rock).
Common military ranks
Officers
Navies Armies Air forces
Generalissimo
Admiral of
the Fleet		 Marshal / Field Marshal Marshal of
the Air Force
Admiral General Air Marshal
Commodore Brigadier Air Commodore
Captain Colonel Group Captain
Commander Lt. Colonel Wing Commander
Lt. Commander Major / Commandant Squadron Leader
Lieutenant Captain Flight Lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant Lieutenant Flying Officer
Ensign 2nd Lieutenant Pilot Officer
Midshipman Officer Cadet Officer Cadet
Seamen, soldiers and airmen
Warrant Officer Sergeant Major Warrant Officer
Petty Officer Sergeant Sergeant
Leading Seaman Corporal Corporal
Seaman Private Aircraftman

Generalissimo or Generalissimus is a military rank of the highest degree, superior to a Field Marshal or Grand Admiral and comparable to commander-in-chief (though with power not delegated from outside the military power structure, as commander-in-chief often is; e.g. an elected official).

Contents

[edit] Usage

Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek of Republic of China.

The word "generalissimo" is an Italian term, from generale, plus the suffix -issimo, itself from Latin -issimus[1], meaning "utmost, to the highest grade".

The rank was historically given to a military officer leading an entire army or the entire armed forces, only subordinated to the Sovereign. Other usage of the title is for a commander of united armies of several allied powers. In fact, most of the generalissimos are dictators. "Generalissimo" is sometimes used in modern English language to refer to a military officer who has obtained political power by a military coup, or in some cases one who has suspended pre-existing constitutional mechanisms in order to retain power by means of a military hierarchy.[citation needed]

[edit] Notable historical generalissimos

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[edit] Republic of China

[edit] Cuba

[edit] North Korea

[edit] Dominican Republic

[edit] France

Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda

[edit] The Holy Roman Empire / Austrian Empire

[edit] Mexico

[edit] Poland

[edit] Portugal

From 1834 to 1910, the Kings of Portugal were considered "Generalissimo", in their constitutional role of Supreme Commanders of the Portuguese Army.

[edit] Russia and the Soviet Union

There were four holders of the Russian rank or title "generalissimus" prior to the 20th century. Menshikov both commanded military forces and ruled absolutely; Aleksei Shein and Aleksandr Suvorov, were principally field commanders rather than political figures. Anthony Ulrich II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (1714–1776), was appointed generalissimus by his wife Anna Leopoldovna but neither commanded nor ruled.

[edit] Spain

Francisco Franco

[edit] Sweden

[edit] Turkey

[edit] Venezuela

[edit] Venice

[edit] Other Italians

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Webster's Third New International Dictionary". Webster's Third New International Dictionary. , French Larousse Étymologique.
  2. ^ [1]
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ [3]
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