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

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 prepared. And besides, the enemies, being fresh and not stripped of their arms, will be difficult to overcome. 4.6 In this respect it has this advantage and use, that it makes them fearful, whenever they may wish to sally forth, by the seizure of the narrow passes, and after a short while to cut off their continuous sallying forth against the Roman themes. 5.t Concerning the securing in advance of waters that are in the narrow passes 5.1 In whatever places of the narrow passes and defiles the general prepares for war, if in these there is a spring gushing with water, he will be eager for this to be seized by his own force, so that the force may draw water from there. But if it happens to be scarce, he will be eager that this not be muddied, and not a little grief and hardship from this will befall the force. But there being no spring nearby, from which the force finds drink and refreshment, and especially in time of summer, let him order ten wineskins to be carried in each century and through them the water to be brought in and at the hour of battle to be supplied for drink and refreshment to those struggling in the war. 5.2 But let enough have been said concerning those who are about to be equipped for war in the narrow passes. And if it should be necessary for a night battle to occur in such difficult terrain, this too is very advantageous; but concerning these things I will explain in another account, and I will begin the instruction on raiding, which being beneficial and necessary by means of a small and easily counted force causes many multitudes of the enemy to be inactive, and by the nod of God for the most part also overcomes them. 6.t Concerning the raiding of the *monokoursa* and the estimation of the quantity of their force 6.1 The enemy raiding parties, called *monokoursa*, sallying forth from their own land without infantry, it is their custom to make the march in haste and, making camp nowhere, to pass the whole night, but to rest their horses for a short time for the purpose of giving them their fodder only; for generally the *monokoursa* make their sally with a small and select force, and they hasten to reach very quickly the places in which they planned to make their attack and raid. 6.2 The general, therefore, upon learning of their sally from both the fire-signal lookouts and the watchmen, let him with great haste occupy the places on the heights, sending ahead a tourmarch or another commander of the most experienced and useful men with select commanders and good cavalrymen to go meet them and to observe them with skill and to remain and to report to the general in what place they arrived, if it is possible to observe also the quantity of their force. 6.3 For it is not only possible to count them and estimate their numbers from sight, but also from their tracks; for the most experienced of men are able from a quantity of grass existing in deserted places and being trampled by the feet of the horses to estimate the quantity of the force, even if not precisely; and likewise also at the crossings of rivers, and more precisely also from their camps, when they depart from there. 6.4 But the general, learning of the arrival of the enemy raiding party and having conjectured the places in which they are about to make their raids, let him be near these places and, having hidden himself with his force in a suitable place, and having sent out cavalry lookouts everywhere, when word is brought about them, and they are seen riding out and scattering, let him go forth into the scattered group, and encountering them he will overcome them without trouble. 6.5 But if it happens that some of the countrymen are seized by them before they ride out and learn both of the general's presence and of the lying in wait in the places, and they will not dare to ride out, having accomplished nothing they will hastily return to their own land, only the toil and the weariness and hardship

ἀνεπιτηδειότερον μέν ἐστι, καὶ εἰς μάτην ἴσως τὸν κόπον συνέβῃ γίνεσθαι διὰ τὸ μὴ οὕτως συντόμως δι' ὀλίγων ἡμερῶν δύνασθαι τὸ πεζικὸν συναθροισθῆναι στράτευμα καὶ καλῶς παρασκευασθῆναι. Ἄλλως τε δὲ καὶ οἱ πολέμιοι, ἀκμῆτες ὄντες καὶ ἀπαρόπλιστοι, δυσκαταγώνιστοι ἔσονται. 4.6 Κατὰ τοῦτο δὲ τὸ ὠφέλιμον ἔχει καὶ χρήσιμον, καθὸ ἐμφόβους αὐτοὺς γίνεσθαι, ὁσάκις ἂν βουληθῶσιν ἐξελθεῖν, τῇ κατασχέσει τῶν στενωμάτων, καὶ τὴν μετ' ὀλίγον ἐκκοπεῖν κατὰ τῶν ῥωμαϊκῶν θεμάτων συνεχῆ ἐξέλευσιν. 5.τ Περὶ προκατασχέσεως ὑδάτων τῶν ἐν τοῖς στενώμασιν ὄντων 5.1 Ἐν οἷς δὲ τόποις τῶν στενωμάτων καὶ κλεισουρῶν πρὸς πόλεμον ὁ στρατηγὸς παρασκευάζεται, εἴπερ ἐν τούτοις πηγή ἐστιν ὕδωρ βρύουσα, ὑπὸ τοῦ ἰδίου λαοῦ ταύτην σπουδάσει κατασχεθῆναι, ὥστε τὸ ἐκεῖθεν ὕδωρ τὸν λαὸν ἀπαρύεσθαι. Εἰ δὲ τύχῃ ὀλιγοστὸν εἶναι, σπουδάσει μὴ ἐπιθολοῦσθαι τοῦτο, καὶ οὐ μικρὰ ὡς ἐκ τούτου λύπη τὸν λαὸν καὶ ἀνάγκη ἐπισυμβήσεται. Πηγῆς δὲ ἔγγιστα μὴ οὔσης, ἐξ ἧς τὴν πόσιν καὶ ἀναψυχὴν ὁ λαὸς ἐφευρίσκει, καὶ μάλιστα ἐν καιρῷ θέρους, ἀσκοὺς διορισάτω ἐν ἑκάστῃ ἑκατονταρχίᾳ δέκα ἐπιφέρεσθαι καὶ δι' αὐτῶν τὸ ὕδωρ ἐπικομίζεσθαι καὶ ἐν ὥρᾳ τῆς μάχης εἰς πόσιν καὶ ἀναψυχὴν τοῖς ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ ἀγωνιζομένοις ἐπιχωρηγεῖσθαι. 5.2 Ἀλλὰ περὶ μὲν τῶν ἐν τοῖς στενώμασι μελλόντων πρὸς πόλεμον ἐξαρτύεσθαι ἱκανῶς εἰρήσθω. Εἰ δὲ καὶ νυκτοπόλεμον δεήσει ἐν ταῖς τοιαύταις δυσχωρίαις γενέσθαι, καὶ τοῦτο πάνυ ὠφέλιμον· ἀλλὰ περὶ μὲν τούτων ἐν ἑτέρᾳ διηγήσει δηλώσω, τῆς δὲ παραδρομῆς ἄρξομαι τὴν εἰσήγησιν, ἥτις ἐπωφελὴς καὶ ἀναγκαία τυγχάνουσα δι' ὀλίγου καὶ εὐαριθμήτου λαοῦ πολλὰ τῶν πολεμίων πλήθη ἀπρακτεῖν παρασκευάζει, Θεοῦ δὲ νεύσει ὡς τὰ πολλὰ καὶ καταγωνίζεται. 6.τ Περὶ παραδρομῆς τῶν μονοκούρσων καὶ στοχασμοῦ τῆς τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῶν ποσότητοσ 6.1 Τὰ τῶν πολεμίων κοῦρσα τὰ λεγόμενα μονόκουρσα ἀπὸ τῆς ἰδίας χώρας ἐξερχόμενα, πεζῶν ἄνευ, ἔθος αὐτοῖς σπουδῇ τὴν πορείαν ποιεῖσθαι καὶ μηδαμοῦ ἀπληκεύοντας τὴν ὅλην νύκτα διαβιβάζειν, ἀλλὰ πρὸς μικρὸν τοὺς ἵππους διαναπαύειν πρὸς τὸ τὰς ταγὰς καὶ μόνον τούτοις ἐπιδοῦναι· ὡς ἐπίπαν γὰρ τὰ μονόκουρσα μετ' ὀλιγοστοῦ καὶ ἐκλεκτοῦ λαοῦ τὴν ἐξέλευσιν ποιοῦνται, σπεύδουσι δὲ τάχιστα καταλαβεῖν ἐν οἷς χωρίοις τὴν ἐπίθεσιν καὶ ἐκδρομὴν ἐβουλεύσαντο ποιῆσαι. 6.2 Τοῦ οὖν στρατηγοῦ παρά τε τῶν καμινοβιγλίων καὶ τῶν βιγλατόρων τὴν τούτων ἐξέλευσιν ἀναμανθάνοντος, σπουδῇ πολλῇ τὰ ἐν ταῖς ἄκραις καταλαμβανέτω χωρία, προαποστέλλων τουρμάρχην εἴτε ἕτερον ἄρχοντα τῶν ἐμπειροτάτων καὶ χρησίμων μετὰ ἐκλεκτῶν ἀρχόντων καὶ καλοϊππαράτων τοῦ προσυπαντῆσαι καὶ μετὰ ἐμπειρίας τούτους θεάσασθαι καὶ παραμεῖναι καὶ τῷ στρατηγῷ καταμηνύειν ἐν ᾧ τόπῳ κατέλαβον, εἰ δυνατὸν διασκοπεῖν καὶ τὴν τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῶν ποσότητα. 6.3 Οὐ μόνον γὰρ ἀπὸ τῆς θέας δυνατόν ἐστιν ἀριθμῆσαι αὐτοὺς καὶ καταστοχάσασθαι, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐκ τῆς τούτων ὁπλῆς· πλῆθος γὰρ χόρτου ἐρημίαις ὑπάρχον καὶ τοῖς ποσὶ τῶν ἀλόγων καταπατούμενον, οἱ τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐμπειρότατοι δύνανται ἐκ τούτου τὴν τοῦ λαοῦ ποσότητα, εἰ καὶ μὴ ἀκριβῶς, καταστοχάσασθαι· ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ ἐν τοῖς τῶν ποταμῶν περάμασιν, ἀκριβέστερον δὲ καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν τούτων ἀπλήκτων, ἡνίκα ἐκεῖθεν ἀπαίρουσιν. 6.4 Ὁ δὲ στρατηγός, τοῦ κούρσου τῶν πολεμίων ἄφιξιν ἀναμανθάνων καὶ τῶν χωρίων ἐν οἷς τὰς ἐκδρομὰς ποιήσασθαι μέλλουσι στοχασάμενος, πλησίον τούτων γινέσθω καί, ἐν ἐπιτηδείῳ τόπῳ ἑαυτὸν ἀποκρύψας μετὰ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ, βίγλας τε καβαλλαρίων πανταχοῦ ἀποστείλας, ἡνίκα περὶ αὐτῶν καταμηνυθείη, καὶ θεαθῶσιν ἐξελαύνοντες καὶ διασκορπιζόμενοι, ἐξέλθῃ εἰς τὸ σκόρπισμα, καὶ τούτοις ἐντυγχάνων ἀπόνως αὐτοὺς καταγωνίσεται. 6.5 Εἰ δὲ συμβῇ τινας τῶν χωριτῶν κρατηθῆναι παρ' αὐτῶν πρὸ τοῦ ἐξελάσαι καὶ ἀναμαθεῖν τήν τε τοῦ στρατηγοῦ παρουσίαν καὶ τὴν τῶν χωρίων ἐκσπήλευσιν, καὶ οὐ θαρρήσουσιν ἐξελάσαι, ἄπρακτοι σπουδαίως πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν ὑποστρέψουσι χώραν, μόνον τὸν κόπον καὶ τὴν συντριβὴν καὶ ταλαιπωρίαν