De velitatione bellica

 combative, not because we single this out from the other stratagems and practices of tactics, but because for the best generals it has become the best

 going out. 1.5 And to send out faithful and most experienced men to watch over them, to see if they are guarding their posts well and vigilantly. 1.6

 to hold and block with shield-bearing hoplites and javelin-men, and behind these, those who throw stones by hand, and with them also archers and sling

 It is less suitable, and perhaps the effort happened to be in vain because the infantry army cannot be assembled so quickly in a few days and be well

 having endured. 7.t Concerning the gathering and movement of an army and concerning allowing merchants to enter and spy 7.1 Upon hearing of the prepar

 high, where the enemy camped, on one or even two sides near their encampment, they will keep watch in that place without difficulty for having dismou

 he will station squads behind the three pairs of scouts, the first squad to watch the third pair of scouts, and the second squad likewise to watch the

 to have [someone] behind the cavalry watching and observing the battle line of the emir and matters concerning it, and, as it marches, to report to hi

 let him set up an ambush, guarding the places situated near the enemy's passage. And the general himself must stand concealed in a suitable place with

 fame for even if the Roman army does not find the winning hand in the war against them, at any rate it will suffer no harm. 10.10 But if they remaine

 despising death for the seizure of the spoils because of the hope of gain and they will easily overcome these by the grace of Christ. But if he does

 will be made successful by cooperation. 11.4 But if it should happen that these are pursued by the enemy, it is necessary to go out to meet them with

 they will by no means dare to sally forth completely, and then only a few for the majority, suspecting war from the general, will not desert the emir

 the day's army and those stationed in the tetradia, as we have said above, to take from the general two of the most experienced and brave men from tho

 of those sent out, in the place where the battle line of the enemy is that has their commander, the general, taking a few men with him and going up to

 among them prisoners of ours or even to become deserters and to learn from them in what place he is encamped. 15.2 So that they do not, taking up thei

 having followed the raiding party negligently and not having searched the ambushes well, has unexpectedly fallen into the hiding place. And so that su

 they hasten unexpectedly to pursue and overcome them, you yourself must also display every precaution so as not to be found unexpectedly by them, but

 they may prepare then, by slackening the reins of their horses, they may with a charge distance themselves a little from their pursuers, so that they

 from long experience, we have written. It is fitting for you to act against the likely impending circumstance for not as the counsels of men, but as

 so that, if enemy multitudes should attack those in the ambush, the night, having fallen and having broken off the battle, you may keep the people und

 the strategos possessed authority over the theme, judging those bringing charges in military matters and administering the affairs arising in the them

 entering into their lands, sometimes they themselves, and sometimes sending some of their people, as was possible they would inflict heavy casualties

 of all other things, whatever are able to defend and help the besieged. For we will omit setting these forth in detail in the present writing on accou

 citizens of the country, and to urge them and to prepare them to save all their belongings in castles and fortified places, and to continuously wound

 by his grace. 23.2 When you have identified the road by which the enemy has set out, four stages, or camps, away, it is fitting for you, the leader of

 profitable according to what seems best to them, and when they perceive you have arrived, they will encamp for the night, having pitched their tents,

 they will break camp, having pitched their tents, and it is not easy for a night battle to be arranged in such a place, the general must again get ahe

to hold and block with shield-bearing hoplites and javelin-men, and behind these, those who throw stones by hand, and with them also archers and slingers, and after the first battle line, to prepare a second following it, and on both sides of the battle line that guards the middle, to station javelin-men, both light-armed troops and slingers. 3.4 If it is said that there are other roads to the right and left of the battle line guarding the public road, not nearby but far off, which the border guards call paths, it is necessary that these too be held with infantry and guarded securely, lest, when the enemies learn that the public road is being held securely with a multitude of men, they should rush to one of the flanking roads and, if it is not well and securely guarded, they find a passage there and come from the flank or even from the rear of the battle lines and cause distraction and fear to the Roman army. 3.5 But with both being guarded securely, either, when the enemies rush to battle, they will be put to shame with God's help, or, seized by terror, they will make their rush by another road, which is a journey of many days' distance. And thus from this two evils will befall the enemies: one, that they will be exhausted by the journey of many days, leaving behind their camps and the direct road, and another, which also brings them ruin, that they themselves become cowardly and are cast into despair, while the Romans become more eager and more daring for the war against them. 3.6 For instance, in former times it happened that Ali, the son of Hamdan, suffered this a third time; twice in the times of the renowned and thrice-blessed emperor Constantine Porphyrogennetos, and once under the good emperor Romanos, his blessed son. And almost all know precisely the utter destruction of the deniers of Christ that took place then; but also the people of the Tarsians and of the country of the Cilicians were routed in various places of the narrow passes by the generals then in charge of the frontier. 4.τ On making attacks against the enemies secretly, and on meeting the enemies as they are returning to their own land 4.1 The general must also have this in his purpose and consideration and exert every effort to make attacks on the enemies secretly and unexpectedly, if possible; for by achieving such a practice, the general, even with a small force, will rout many of the enemies. 4.2 And if, as has been shown above, he also finds a place in the narrow passes suitable for waging war against the enemies from two sides, he should engage in the war without hesitation; and by properly arranging the force under him, with God's help, he will mightily rout the enemies. 4.3 However, it is much more advantageous and more fitting, instead of meeting the enemies when they are about to set out against Roman territory, to do so when they are returning from our lands to their own; for then, because they have spent a long time in the Roman lands, they are greatly worn down and exhausted. And if it happens that they are also carrying a multitude of goods and captives and livestock, both they and their horses, being worn out, are found to be enfeebled at the time of battle, hurrying and desiring to reach their own country more quickly. 4.4 Moreover, in the extension of days the Roman armies, not only those near the mountain passes are more quickly gathered, but also those that happen to be far away; and they are assembled into a sufficient multitude, and are well equipped and prepared for war. And then especially, as we have said before, both by day and by night the war against them holds certain victory. 4.5 Therefore, the general must never give up during the return journey. But to prepare to meet them for battle in the narrow passes during the enemy's sortie

κρατεῖν καὶ ἀποφράττειν δι' ὁπλιτῶν ἀσπιδηφόρων καὶ ἀκοντιστῶν, ὄπισθεν δὲ τούτων τοὺς ἐκ χειρῶν λίθους βάλλοντας, σὺν αὐτοῖς δὲ καὶ τοξότας καὶ σφενδονήτας, καὶ μετὰ τὴν πρώτην παράταξιν καὶ δευτέραν ἑπομένην αὐτῇ παρασκευάζειν, ἑκατέρωθεν δὲ τῆς παρατάξεως τῆς φυλαττούσης τὴν μέσην ἀκοντιστὰς καθιστᾶν, ψιλούς τε καὶ σφενδονήτας. 3.4 Εἰ δὲ καὶ ἑτέρας ὁδοὺς λέγεται εἶναι δεξιὰ καὶ εὐώνυμα τῆς παρατάξεως τῆς φυλαττούσης τὴν δημοσίαν ὁδόνμὴ σύνεγγυς ἀλλὰ πόρρωθεν, ἃς οἱ ἀκρῖται ἀτραποὺς καλοῦσι, δέον καὶ ταύτας κρατεῖσθαι μετὰ πεζῶν καὶ φυλάττεσθαι ἀσφαλῶς, μή ποτε μανθανόντων τῶν πολεμίων τὴν δημοσίαν ὁδὸν ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ κρατεῖσθαι μετὰ πλήθους λαοῦ εἰς ἑτέραν τῶν ἐκ πλαγίων ὁρμήσωσι καί, εἰ μὴ καλῶς καὶ ἀσφαλῶς φυλάττηται, εὕρωσιν ἐκεῖθεν πάροδον καὶ γενηθῶσιν ἐκ πλαγίου ἢ καὶ ἐκ νώτου τῶν παρατάξεων καὶ περισπασμὸν καὶ φόβον τῷ ῥωμαϊκῷ στρατῷ προξενήσουσιν. 3.5 Ἀμφοτέρων δὲ ἀσφαλῶς φυλαττομένων, ἢ πρὸς μάχην τῶν πολεμίων ὁρμώντων Θεοῦ συνεργίᾳ καταισχυνθήσονται, ἢ ὀρρωδίᾳ κατασχεθέντες δι' ἄλλης ὁδοῦ, πολλῶν ἡμερῶν διάστημα ἀπεχούσης, τὴν ὁρμὴν ποιήσονται. Καὶ ὡς ἐντεῦθεν δύο κακὰ προσγένωνται τοῖς ἐχθροῖς· ἓν μὲν ταλαιπωρηθῆναι τῷ τῶν πολλῶν ἡμερῶν διαστήματι καταλιποῦσι τὰ τούτων ἄπληκτα καὶ τὴν εὐθεῖαν ὁδόν, ἕτερον δέτὸ καὶ ἀπώλειαν αὐτοῖς ἐπάγοντὸ αὐτοὺς μὲν δειλανδρῆσαι καὶ ἀθυμίᾳ ὑποβληθῆναι, τοὺς δὲ Ῥωμαίους προθυμωτέρους καὶ εὐτολμωτέρους πρὸς τὸν κατ' αὐτῶν πόλεμον γενέσθαι. 3.6 Οἷον δὴ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἄνω χρόνοις Ἀλῇ τῷ υἱῷ τοῦ Χαμβδᾶ ἐκ τρίτου παθεῖν συμβέβηκεν· δὶς μὲν ἐν τοῖς χρόνοις τοῦ ἀοιδίμου καὶ τρισμάκαρος Κωνσταντίνου τοῦ Πορφυρογεννήτου βασιλέως, ἅπαξ δὲ ἐπὶ τοῦ καλοῦ βασιλέως Ῥωμανοῦ, τοῦ μακαρίτου υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ. Καὶ πάντες σχεδὸν τὴν τότε γεναμένην πανωλεθρίαν τῶν ἀρνητῶν τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀκριβῶς ἐπίστανται· ἀλλὰ καὶ ὁ λαὸς τῶν Ταρσέων καὶ τῆς τῶν Κιλίκων χώρας ἐν διαφόροις τόποις τῶν στενωμάτων παρὰ τῶν τότε τῆς ἄκρας προνοουμένων στρατηγῶν κατετροπώθησαν. 4.τ Περὶ τοῦ ποιεῖσθαι λάθρα τὰς κατὰ τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἐπιθέσεις, καὶ περὶ τοῦ προσυπαντᾶν τοὺς πολεμίους πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν ἐπαναστρέφοντασ 4.1 Χρὴ δὲ καὶ τοῦτο διὰ σκοποῦ καὶ μελέτης ἔχειν τὸν στρατηγὸν καὶ πᾶσαν σπουδὴν τίθεσθαι, λάθρα καὶ ἀδοκήτως, εἰ οἷόν τε, τὰς τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἐπιθέσεις ποιεῖσθαι· τοῦ γὰρ τοιούτου ἐπιτηδεύματος τυγχάνων ὁ στρατηγός, καὶ μετ' ὀλιγοστοῦ λαοῦ πολλοὺς τῶν πολεμίων κατατροπώσεται. 4.2 Εἰ δέ, ὡς ἀνωτέρω δεδήλωται, καὶ τόπου ἐπιτύχῃ ἐν τοῖς στενώμασιν ἐκ δύο μερῶν τὸν κατὰ τῶν ἐχθρῶν πόλεμον τὸ ἐπιτήδειον ἔχοντος, ἀδιστάκτως ἔχεσθαι τοῦ πολέμου· καὶ καλῶς συντάσσων τὸν ὑπ' αὐτὸν λαὸν Θεοῦ συνεργίᾳ κατὰ κράτος τοὺς πολεμίους τροπώσεται. 4.3 Πλὴν κατὰ πολύ ἐστι λυσιτελέστερον καὶ ἁρμοδιώτερον, ὑπὲρ τοῦ προσυπαντᾶν τοὺς πολεμίους μέλλοντας ἐξιέναι κατὰ Ῥωμανίας, ὅτε μᾶλλον ἀπὸ τῶν ἡμετέρων χωρῶν πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν ἐπαναστρέφουσι· τότε γὰρ διὰ τὸ ἐπὶ πολὺ χρονοτριβῆσαι αὐτοὺς ταῖς ῥωμαϊκαῖς χώραις, μεγάλως συντρίβονται καὶ ταλαιπωροῦνται. Εἰ τύχῃ δὲ καὶ πλῆθος πραγμάτων καὶ ἀνδραπόδων ἐπιφέρονται καὶ κτηνῶν, καὶ αὐτοί τε καὶ οἱ ἵπποι αὐτῶν κατάκοποι ὄντες ἐν καιρῷ πολέμου ἐκλελυμένοι εὑρίσκονται, σπεύδοντες καὶ ἐπιθυμοῦντες τάχιον τὴν ἰδίαν καταλήψεσθαι χώραν. 4.4 Ἄλλως τε δὲ καὶ τὰ τῶν Ῥωμαίων στρατεύματα ἐν τῇ τῶν ἡμερῶν παρατάσει οὐ μόνον τὰ πλησίον τῶν κλεισουρῶν τάχιον ἐπισωρεύονται, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὰ πόρρω τυγχάνοντα· καὶ εἰς πλῆθος ἐπισυνίστανται ἱκανόν, καὶ καλῶς πρὸς πόλεμον καὶ ἐξαρτύονται καὶ παρασκευάζονται. Καὶ τότε μᾶλλον, καθάπερ προέφημεν, καὶ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ καὶ ἐν νυκτὶ ὁ κατ' αὐτῶν πόλεμος ἀδίστακτον ἔχει τὴν νίκην. 4.5 ∆ιὸ χρὴ τὸν στρατηγὸν μηδέπω ἐν τῇ ὑποστροφῇ καταλιμπάνειν. Τὸ δὲ ἐν τῇ ἐξελεύσει τῶν πολεμίων παρασκευάζεσθαι προσυπαντᾶν αὐτοὺς πρὸς πόλεμον ἐν τοῖς στενώμασιν