Aulus Plautius vs Memnon of Rhodes

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.

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.

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.

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.

Memnon commanded the Persian defense of Halicarnassus against Alexander the Great. He used fortified positions and naval sorties to delay the Macedonian advance, forcing Alexander to besiege the city for months before it fell.

Memnon advised Darius III to adopt a scorched earth strategy, destroying crops and villages to deny supplies to Alexander's army. The Persian court rejected this plan, leading to the Battle of Granicus and subsequent losses.

Memnon launched a naval campaign to recapture Greek islands and threaten Alexander's supply lines. He captured Chios and most of Lesbos, but died during the siege of Mytilene, ending the Persian counteroffensive.