[wmf]

I assume protocols like Paxos can work with any odd number of generals. Since the generals are anonymous, consider a Sybil attack. If there are N total generals, what's to prevent me from claiming that I am all N generals? If there are N total generals but M entities try to each spam the system with fake generals, how does the system decide?

[semi-extrinsic]

So you're saying blockchains prevent this because proof-of-work? I.e. that you literally can't run a Sybil attack, because the only way to impersonate N miners is to actually run N miners?

[wmf]

Yes. (Modulo arguments about the definition of "blockchain".)