The Five Great Captains are a group of fictional characters featured in The Wheel of Time series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.
The "Five Great Captains" is a collective name used for the five finest generals in the Westlands. They are known for their supreme skills in the ways of war and strategy. The Great Captains are Pedron Niall, the Lord Captain Commander of the Children of the Light; Agelmar Jagad of Shienar, the Lord of Fal Dara; Gareth Bryne, former Captain General of the Queen's Guards in Andor; Marshal-General Davram Bashere, supreme commander of the Saldaean army; and Rodel Ituralde, commander of the armies of Arad Doman.
The decision to hire Gareth Bryne as the commander of the exile tower's army was based on him being one of the great captains, the only one available to the Aes Sedai in Salidar, since his reputation of winning battles would attract large amounts of recruits.
There are only four of these captains remaining, as Pedron Niall has been assassinated.