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Aulus Plautius vs Lu Xun
Lu Xun leads by 8.7 pts · 2 figures compared
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Aulus Plautius
General · Ancient
51.3Total
Lu Xun
General · Ancient
60.0Total
Basic Information
Born
-5
183
Died
57
245
Era
Ancient
Ancient
Nationality
Roman Empire
China
Occupation
General
General
Civilization
Western
Eastern
Score Comparison
Military (10%)
82.0
65.0
Political (20%)
25.0
57.3
Influence (20%)
57.2
55.0
Legacy (20%)
50.0
52.0
Leadership (15%)
47.3
73.2
Strategy (15%)
55.0
72.0
TOTAL
51.3
60.0
Aulus Plautius — Complete Timeline
43 AD
Invasion of Britain (Aulus Plautius)War
Plautius commanded the Roman invasion force of four legions that landed in Britain. He defeated the local tribes led by Caratacus at the Battle of the Medway and the Battle of the Thames, establishing a bridgehead for Roman conquest.
Roman Conquest of BritainInvasionLegions
Impact: regional
Capture of CamulodunumWar◆ Major
Plautius captured the tribal capital of the Catuvellauni at Camulodunum (modern Colchester). This victory broke the main resistance in southeastern Britain and allowed the Romans to establish a fortified base and administrative center.
SiegeBritainCapital
Impact: regional
Appointment as First Governor of BritainPolitical Action◆ Major
Emperor Claudius appointed Plautius as the first Roman governor of the new province of Britannia. Plautius oversaw the initial organization of the province, including the establishment of a client kingdom for the Iceni and the construction of roads.
Provincial AdministrationClaudiusBritannia
Impact: regionalconstructive
47 AD
Ovation in RomeCultural
Plautius was granted an ovation (a lesser triumph) by Claudius for his conquest of Britain. He was the first Roman general to receive this honor for a campaign in Britain. The ovation included a procession and the display of captured spoils.
HonorTriumphClaudius
Impact: nationalconstructive
Lu Xun — Complete Timeline
222 AD
Battle of YilingWar
Lu Xun, as commander of Eastern Wu forces, defeated Liu Bei's Shu Han army at Yiling. He used a scorched earth strategy and fire attack, destroying Shu's invasion force. This victory secured Wu's western border.
BattleEastern WuShu HanThree Kingdoms
Impact: regionalconstructive
228 AD
Battle of ShitingWar
Lu Xun defeated a Cao Wei invasion at Shiting, using a feigned retreat to ambush the Wei forces. This victory repelled the Wei attack and maintained Wu's territorial integrity.
BattleEastern WuCao WeiThree Kingdoms
Impact: regionalconstructive
244 AD
Appointment as Chancellor of Eastern WuPolitical Action◆ Major
Sun Quan appointed Lu Xun as Chancellor of Eastern Wu, the highest civil office. Lu Xun served as chancellor until his death, helping to administer the state and maintain stability.
AppointmentEastern WuGovernment
Impact: nationalconstructive
245 AD
Death and LegacyOther
Lu Xun died in 245 AD. His victory at Yiling was a defining moment of the Three Kingdoms period. He was remembered as a brilliant strategist and loyal minister of Eastern Wu.
DeathEastern WuLegacy
Impact: national
Expert Analysis
Origins
Aulus Plautius was born around 15 BC into a prominent Roman plebeian family. His early career is obscure, but he likely served as a military tribune and quaestor before becoming consul in AD 29. Plautius was a loyal supporter of Emperor Claudius, which positioned him for the command of the British invasion.
Lu Xun (original name Lu Yi) was born in 183 AD in Wu Commandery (modern Suzhou, China) into a minor gentry family. His father died early, and he was raised by his grandfather. Lu Xun entered the service of the Sun family, rising through administrative and military roles. He was known for his intelligence and strategic acumen from a young age.
Rise to Power
Aulus Plautius rose to prominence through his consulship in AD 29 and subsequent governorship of Pannonia. In AD 43, Emperor Claudius selected him to lead the invasion of Britain. Plautius commanded four legions (Legio II Augusta, IX Hispana, XIV Gemina, and XX Valeria Victrix) plus auxiliaries, totaling about 40,000 men. The invasion force landed in Kent and defeated the local tribes led by Caratacus at the Battle of the River Medway. Claudius himself arrived for the final capture of Camulodunum. Plautius was appointed the first governor of Britannia, serving until AD 47.
Lu Xun rose to power within Eastern Wu during the turbulent Three Kingdoms period. He initially served as a county magistrate and later as a commander in the navy. His big break came in 219 AD when he assisted Lü Meng in the capture of Jing Province from Guan Yu. However, his defining moment was the Battle of Yiling in 222 AD. Liu Bei, seeking revenge for Guan Yu's death, invaded Wu with a massive army. Sun Quan appointed Lu Xun as commander-in-chief, over the heads of senior generals. Lu Xun's scorched earth strategy and fire attack defeated Liu Bei, effectively ending Shu Han's expansion.
Leadership & Governance
Aulus Plautius governed Britain with a focus on consolidation. He established a network of forts and roads, and began the process of Romanization. He negotiated with local tribes, offering protection in exchange for allegiance. Plautius was a competent administrator but his primary role was military. He scored 47.3 in leadership and 55.0 in strategy, reflecting a solid but not exceptional command. His governance approach was typical of early Roman provincial governors: impose order, extract resources, and secure borders.
Lu Xun, by contrast, was both a military commander and civil administrator. He scored 73.2 in leadership and 72.0 in strategy, indicating superior strategic thinking. As Chancellor of Eastern Wu from 244 AD, he implemented policies to stabilize the state, including tax reforms and promotion of agriculture. He was known for his fairness and ability to balance different factions. His leadership style was consultative but decisive, as seen in his handling of the Yiling campaign where he overruled subordinate generals.
Triumph & Tragedy
Aulus Plautius's greatest triumph was the successful invasion and subjugation of southeastern Britain, which laid the foundation for the Roman province of Britannia. He captured Camulodunum and defeated the Catuvellauni. His ovation in Rome was a significant honor. However, his tragedy was that his conquest was incomplete. The northern tribes remained unconquered, and resistance continued. Plautius was recalled in AD 47, possibly due to political intrigue, and his later life is obscure. He failed to secure lasting peace.
Lu Xun's greatest triumph was the victory at Yiling, which saved Eastern Wu from annihilation. He destroyed Liu Bei's army and secured Wu's western borders. His subsequent victory at Shiting in 228 AD repelled a Wei invasion. His tragedy came in his later years. He became embroiled in court politics, particularly the succession struggle between Sun Quan's sons. Lu Xun supported the wrong prince and fell out of favor. He died in 245 AD, reportedly of anger and frustration after being reprimanded by Sun Quan. His legacy was tarnished by this political failure.
Character & Destiny
Aulus Plautius was a loyal and competent Roman general, but not a visionary. He followed orders and executed the invasion efficiently. His character was cautious and methodical, which served him well in the initial conquest but limited his ability to adapt to guerrilla warfare. His destiny was tied to Claudius's favor; once that waned, his career ended. He scored 25.0 in political skill, reflecting his inability to navigate court politics.
Lu Xun was a brilliant strategist and patient leader. He was known for his calm demeanor and ability to wait for the right moment. At Yiling, he refused to engage Liu Bei until the Shu army was exhausted and vulnerable. His character combined strategic genius with political naivety. He was loyal to Sun Quan but failed to manage the succession crisis. His destiny was shaped by his victory at Yiling, which made him a hero, but also by his political missteps, which led to his downfall. He scored 57.3 in political skill, higher than Plautius but still insufficient.
Legacy
Aulus Plautius's legacy is as the man who brought Roman rule to Britain. He established the province that would last for nearly 400 years. However, his personal legacy is overshadowed by later governors like Agricola. He is primarily remembered for the invasion itself. In historical assessments, he is considered a capable general but not a great one. His military score of 82.0 reflects his successful campaign, but his overall total of 51.3 is modest due to low political and leadership scores.
Lu Xun's legacy is far more significant. He is celebrated as one of the greatest strategists of the Three Kingdoms period. His victory at Yiling is studied in military academies. He is also remembered as a loyal minister who served Wu faithfully. His political and leadership scores (57.3 and 73.2) are higher than Plautius's. His influence on Chinese military thought is considerable. However, his political failure and relatively short period of high command limit his overall score to 60.0.
Conclusion
While Aulus Plautius achieved a concrete and lasting territorial conquest, Lu Xun had a greater impact on military strategy and statecraft. Plautius's conquest of Britain was a product of Roman imperial might; he was a tool of empire. Lu Xun, in contrast, saved his kingdom through personal brilliance and strategic innovation. His victory at Yiling was a turning point in the Three Kingdoms period. Lu Xun's higher total score (60.0 vs 51.3) reflects his superior leadership, strategy, and political acumen. Therefore, Lu Xun had a greater impact as a general and statesman.
Rankings
🥇
Lu XunLeader
Mil: 65.0Pol: 57.3Inf: 55.0
60.0
🥈
Aulus Plautius
Mil: 82.0Pol: 25.0Inf: 57.2
51.3
+8.7 behind
How This Comparison Works
Algorithm
Each figure is scored on 6 dimensions (0—100 scale) based on structured historical data: Military (10%), Political (20%), Influence (20%), Legacy (20%), Leadership (15%), Strategy (15%). The weighted total produces the final ranking.
Data Sources
Scores are computed from structured sub-indicators in the database. Scale factors adjust for era (Ancient ×0.85, Modern ×1.0) and civilization size (Eastern ×1.05, Other ×0.80) to account for differences in population and military scale.
Maximum 3 Figures
Comparisons are limited to 2—3 figures to ensure readability and statistical meaningfulness.
Error Margins
±5 points per dimension — Sub-scores are derived from historical records with inherent uncertainty. Two figures within 5 points on a dimension should be considered roughly equivalent in that area.
Total Score Accuracy
±3 points overall — The weighted combination of 6 dimensions produces a total score with approximately ±3 points of uncertainty. Differences of less than 3 points are not statistically significant— the figures are effectively tied.
Known Limitations
- Historical records are incomplete and uneven across civilizations
- Figures from oral-tradition societies may be underrepresented
- Occupation labels can misclassify multi-role figures
- Scores measure capability and impact, not moral character
- Quantitative scoring is a comparison tool, not absolute truth
Capability Radar
Military (10%) — Battles & Warfare
Battles
65
75
Win Rate
70
80
Expansion
75
65
Political (20%) — Governance & Reform
Reform
20
55
Diplomacy
50
72
Economy
30
60
Influence (20%) — Cultural & Global Reach
Cultural
40
70
Global
45
55
Legacy (20%) — Historical Impact
Historical
55
75
Longevity
50
70
Leadership (15%) — Power & Stability
Tenure
40
70
Stability
45
68
Strategy (15%) — Tactics & Innovation
Strategy
65
82
Tactics
60
85
Reform
30
60
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