Jan Žižka
~1360–1424 · Czech (Bohemia) · Hussite Wars
Known for: Hussite commander who never lost a battle—even after going completely blind
Jan Žižka was a Czech military commander who never lost a battle in his entire career, which is remarkable enough—but he did it while blind in both eyes. He lost one eye before the Hussite Wars and the other during battle, yet continued commanding from a war wagon while subordinates described the battlefield to him.
He pioneered the use of war wagons as mobile fortresses and was the first European commander to use firearms as a decisive tactical weapon. He defeated multiple crusades sent by the Pope and Holy Roman Emperor against the Hussites, making Bohemia unconquerable. His alleged deathbed request: 'Make my skin into a war drum so that I may continue to lead you into battle.'
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