| Korvessa | 12 May 2020 4:09 p.m. PST |
I have always wondered:
Who is it that decided to give them the title "The Great?"
Did it happen in their life time?
Or is it something that came later? |
Oberlindes Sol LIC  | 12 May 2020 6:47 p.m. PST |
I assumed that they bought them from "Titles 'r Us". |
| advocate | 13 May 2020 2:56 a.m. PST |
Frederick was given the title after taking Silesia in the War of the Austrian Succession.
Don't know exactly who gave it to him (some Prussians council or parliament I imagine) but it was quite early in his reign. |
| RittervonBek | 13 May 2020 5:40 a.m. PST |
Peter is termed the Great because otherwise he'd be Petr Perviy……. |
 enfant perdus | 13 May 2020 12:23 p.m. PST |
Alfred became "the Great" during the Reformation. He ticked all the necessary boxes for the new Church of England. |
| USAFpilot | 13 May 2020 5:09 p.m. PST |
It seems the title "the great" following someone's name is usually bestowed on those with exceptional military prowess; Alexander, Ivan, Peter, Frederick the Great. Great scientists, philosophers, artists, inventors, explorers don't get the title even though their accomplishments may have had a greater impact on history. So let's hear it for Euclid the Great, Galileo the Great, Guggenheim the Great, and Newton the Great. |
| Robert le Diable | 15 May 2020 11:10 a.m. PST |
Surely, USAFpilot, both from the four examples we have, together with Tamburlaine the Great and Napoleon the Great, there's also an element of political power as well. These latter two examples are less commonly heard, though the one is at least the title of a drama by Marlowe, the other having been adopted during Napoleon's own lifetime (admittedly, only by some people).
With the underlying point, about those who have benefited Humanity most generally being less celebrated, or even remembered, than those who have troubled the peace in one way or another – usually in more than one way or another – I am thoroughly in agreement. Poets and Scientists sometimes get statues, however (and now, a lot of Sportsmen and Singers and so on). |
marmont1814  | 16 May 2020 2:33 a.m. PST |
More powerful being know by one name like Napoleon. Galileo, Newton, these names transcend ordinary or the need to stick great at the end of a name to pump them up, there achievements are Great |
| Robert le Diable | 16 May 2020 8:40 a.m. PST |
Yes, that's a good one. Apropos, when Verdi was once asked what his address was, he replied (in Italian, presumably), "I think 'Italy' would be sufficient". |
| von Schwartz | 17 May 2020 5:43 p.m. PST |
That's cuz names like Freddy the Mediocre don't have the same PIZZAZZ! |
| COL Scott ret | 17 May 2020 7:49 p.m. PST |
The international board of greatness holds a conference every 50 years and votes on who will earn the title. Personally I think that I have a good shot, Colonel Scott the Great has a ring to it don't you think. After all being a great son, great husband, great dad, great scouting advisor and working on being a great Grandpa should be worthy. |
| Russ Lockwood | 22 May 2020 8:22 p.m. PST |
If you're really, really great, you get an "Age" named after you, like Age of Napoleon and Age of Marlborough. |
begins to think about terrain for Team Yankee.
