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People: Jan Žižka
Topic: Muslim Conquest of the Levant
Location: Almería Andalucia Spain

Jan Žižka

Czech general and Hussite leader
Years: 1360 - 1424

Jan Žižka z Trocnova a Kalicha (German: Johann Ziska or Johann Schischka; English: John Zizka of Trocnov and the Chalice) (c. 1360–1424), Czech general and Hussite leader, follower of Jan Hus, is born in the small village of Trocnov (now part of Borovany) in Bohemia, into the gentry.

He is nicknamed "One-eyed Žižka."

From his youth, he is attached to the royal court and holds the office of Chamberlain to Queen Sophia.

He fighst in the Battle of Grunwald (July 15, 1410), where he defends Radzyń against the Teutonic Order.

Later he plays a prominent role in the civil wars in Bohemia during the reign of Wenceslas IV.

Žižka's tactics are unorthodox and innovative.

In addition to training and equipping his army according to their abilities, he uses armored wagons armed with small cannons and muskets, presaging the tank of five hundred years later.

He is also a master at using geography to full advantage as well as managing the discipline of his troops.

Žižka is considered to be among the greatest military leaders and innovators of all time and is one of six commanders in history who never lost a battle (alongside Alexander the Great, Scipio Africanus, Genghis Khan, Alexander Suvorov, and Khalid ibn al-Walid).