What did Voldemort do that was so great?

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 41718

Gretchen wrote:
 
> If you use the simplistic definition of a great leader as one that 
> gets people to follow him/her and do what he/she wants, then 
> Voldermort was a great leader (as was Hitler).  Don't confuse great 
> with being an ethical leader or good person.  One can be a great 
> leader and be a rotten person.  Voldermort had many, many followers 
> that were all ready and willing.


I certainly don't think anyone would argue that Voldemort was anything 
close to an ethical leader or a good person.  However, I would 
consider him great.  Yes, there were people out there ready and 
willing to follow.  But it took an intelligent, capable leader to 
organize them into a force that terrified the wizarding word to the 
point of being afraid of his name.  No one else had ever done 
that.  Every other famous dark wizard, who doubtless had a 
substantial following and did your typical destructive things, is 
mentioned by name.  So in that respect, Voldemort was certainly great.

-Corinth, who just returned from a research cruise where one of the 
head scientists was reading HP and the Chamber of Secrets.  Harry 
leaves no land or ocean untouched!  :)