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

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 the entire army, to get ahead of them with great speed and to occupy the infantry forces that were sent to the mountain pass, and to leave the better of the remaining generals to harass them from the rear because of their raids and forays; and he should have with him the rest of the cavalry force, obedient to his command, and you should instruct him that, when the enemy approaches the mountain pass to within about two camps, he himself should also pass through with the entire army and occupy the place where the battle against them is being prepared. 23.3 And as you are occupying the mountain pass and uniting the infantry divisions, it is necessary to hasten to gather another infantry force in particular, as much as you are able, and to exhort them openly, anointing them for courage and daring, and to stir up their eagerness, as an excellent general, with honey-sweet exhortation: "Men sayingRomans, let us stand unswervingly and steadfastly; let us stand manfully and nobly; let us show the enemy our arm and strength; let us show that their charge is against their betters, that they are arrayed against those who are about to strike rather than be struck; for their nature is not stone or bronze, so as not to receive wounds; for their body is not of iron, so as not to be exhausted and grow numb from toil." In addition to this, pointing out also the difficulty of the place in which they are about to be prepared for battle and how much help it provides them. 23.4 After you have properly incited and roused them and made them more eager and more daring, you will station them in the places where they must fight the enemy. And first, it is necessary to occupy the high parts of the mountains and to control and secure all the roads. And in those places where it is possible for cavalry to fight alongside infantry, you will station them also in suitable places. And in all your battle lines you must appoint useful leaders and guard and do all the other things which we set forth at the beginning of the discourse about how one must fight the enemy in difficult terrain. 23.5 When the enemy arrives nearby and perceives the security you have established on the road, and that it is impossible for them to pass through, if they should more recklessly dare to do this, the plan will not turn out fortunately for them, but being slaughtered and crushed by your army they will unwillingly turn their backs, hastening to reach their own land by another road. And as they are retreating thus ignobly and in disorder, it is impossible to describe in words how much joy and gladness your army will be filled with as they watch them. 23.6 Therefore, when the enemy, as has been said, is retreating, then pursue them from behind, sending ahead cavalry with swift light-armed troops; and you yourself, marching more sharply, hasten to catch them. But the enemy, because they are fleeing, in order to pass quickly through the difficult terrain and escape the battle in it and reach their own land, when they get near the mountain pass, suspecting this, lest the infantry divisions again get ahead of them and seize their road, if they should attempt to make the journey by night, you may quickly overtake them, you may catch them as their horses have grown weak from the long journey and the men are exhausted, traveling by night; and you have found, general, what you have always sought. 23.7 And when you catch them by night, you must immediately join battle against what is called the rear-guard with infantry and cavalry following along with them. Send other light-armed troops with cavalry to get ahead of the enemy on this side and that of the road, and order them to attack from the flank. And if you do this they will not be able to resist, but will turn to flight. And if they do this by night, pursue them and you will deliver them to complete annihilation. 24.t Concerning night warfare 24.1 But if they come to another decision,

αὐτοῦ χάριτι. 23.2 Ἡνίκα δὲ πρὸ τεσσάρων σταθμῶν, ἤτοι ἀπλήκτων, ἐπιγνῷς τὴν ὁδόν, δι' ἧς ὥρμησαν οἱ πολέμιοι, σοὶ μέν, τῷ τοῦ παντὸς λαοῦ ἡγεμόνι, τάχει πολλῷ ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν γενέσθαι προσήκει καὶ καταλαβεῖν τὰς πεζικὰς δυνάμεις, τὰς ἐν τῇ κλεισούρᾳ ἀποσταλείσας, καταλιπεῖν δὲ τὸν κρείττονα τῶν λοιπῶν στρατηγῶν πρὸς τὸ παρατρέχειν αὐτοῖς διὰ τὰ ὄπισθεν κοῦρσα καὶ τὰς ἐκδρομὰς αὐτῶν· ἔχειν δὲ μεθ' ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τὸ λοιπὸν ἱππικὸν στράτευμα πειθόμενον τῷ λόγῳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ διορίσασθαι αὐτῷ ὡς, ἠνίκα οἱ πολέμιοι ὡς ἀπὸ δύο ἀπλήκτων τῇ κλεισούρᾳ πλησιάσουσι, καὶ αὐτὸν μετὰ παντὸς τοῦ στρατεύματος διελθεῖν καὶ καταλαβεῖν ἐν ᾧ τόπῳ ὁ κατ' αὐτῶν ἐξαρτύεται πόλεμος. 23.3 Σοῦ δὲ καταλαμβάνοντος ἐν τῇ κλεισούρᾳ καὶ τὰς πεζικὰς τάξεις ἑνουμένου, δέον σπουδάσαι καὶ ἕτερον μάλιστα πεζικὸν λαὸν ἐπισυνάξαι, ὅσον ἂν δυνηθῇς, παραινέσαι τε αὐτοῖς παρρησίᾳ πρὸς ἀνδρείαν αὐτοὺς ἐπαλείφων καὶ εὐτολμίαν, ἐποτρῦναι δὲ καὶ τὸ πρόθυμον αὐτῶν, οἷα στρατηγὸς ἄριστος, μελισταγεῖ παραινέσει· "Ἄνδρες λέγωνῬωμαῖοι, στῶμεν ἀκλινῶς καὶ ἑδραίως· στῶμεν ἀνδρικῶς καὶ γενναίως· δείξωμεν ἐχθροῖς βραχίονα καὶ ἰσχύν· δείξωμεν ὡς πρὸς κρείσσονας τὴν ὁρμὴν ἔχουσιν, ὡς πρὸς τοὺς βάλλειν μᾶλλον ἢ βάλλεσθαι μέλλοντας παρατάττονται· μὴ γὰρ λίθος φύσις αὐτοῖς ἢ χαλκός, ὡς μὴ τραύματα δέχεσθαι· μὴ γὰρ ἐκ σιδήρου τὸ σῶμα, ὡς μὴ τῷ κόπῳ ἐκλύεσθαι καὶ ἀποναρκᾶν." Πρὸς ἐπὶ τούτοις ὑποδεικνύων καὶ τὴν τοῦ τόπου δυσχέρειαν, ἐν ᾧ μέλλουσι πρὸς μάχην παρασκευασθῆναι καὶ ὅσον αὐτοῖς παρέχει βοήθειαν. 23.4 Μετὰ δὲ τὸ καλῶς αὐτοὺς παραθῆξαι καὶ διεγεῖραι καὶ προθυμοτέρους καὶ εὐτολμοτέρους ἐργάσασθαι, καταστήσεις αὐτοὺς ἐν οἷς τόποις ὀφείλουσι τοῖς ἐχθροῖς μάχεσθαι. Καὶ πρῶτον μὲν τὰ ὑψηλὰ τῶν ὀρέων καταλαβεῖν δέον καὶ πάσας τὰς ὁδοὺς κρατῆσαι καὶ ἀσφαλίσασθαι. Ἐν οἷς δὲ καὶ ἱππεῖς ἐγχωρεῖ σὺν τοῖς πεζοῖς μάχεσθαι, καταστήσεις καὶ αὐτοὺς ἐν ἐπιτηδείοις τόποις. Ἐν πάσαις δέ σου ταῖς παρατάξεσιν ἀρχηγοὺς τῶν χρησίμων ἐπιστῆσαί σε δεῖ καὶ τἆλλα πάντα φυλάξαι καὶ πρᾶξαι, ὅσα ἐν ἀρχῇ τοῦ λόγου περὶ τοῦ πῶς δεῖ τοῖς πολεμίοις ἐν ταῖς δυσχωρίαις μάχεσθαι ἐξεθέμεθα. 23.5 Τῶν δὲ πολεμίων πλησίον καταλαμβανόντων καὶ αἰσθομένων τῆς παρὰ σοῦ γενομένης ἀσφαλείας ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, καὶ ὡς ἀμήχανον διελθεῖν αὐτούς, εἴπερ παραβολώτερον τοῦτο τολμήσουσι πρᾶξαι, οὐκ εὐτυχῶς αὐτοῖς τὸ βούλευμα παραστήσεται, ἀλλὰ παρὰ τοῦ σοῦ λαοῦ δῃούμενοί τε καὶ συμπνιγόμενοι καὶ ἄκοντες τὰ νῶτα δώσουσι, σπεύδοντες δι' ἑτέρας ὁδοῦ τὴν ἰδίαν καταλήψεσθαι. Τούτων δ' οὕτως ὑποστρεφόντων ἀγεννῶς καὶ ἀκόσμως, ὁ λαός σου τούτους θεώμενος ὅσης χαρᾶς καὶ θυμηδίας πλησθήσονται, λόγῳ παραστῆσαι τοῦτο ἀδύνατον. 23.6 Τῶν οὖν πολεμίων, ὡς λέλεκται, ὑποστρεφόντων, τότε καταδίωξον ὄπισθεν αὐτῶν, ἔμπροσθεν ἀποστέλλων ἱππεῖς μετὰ ταχέων ψιλῶν· καὶ αὐτὸς δὲ ὀξύτερον περιπατῶν τοῦ καταλαβεῖν αὐτοὺς ἐπείχθητι. Οἱ δὲ ἐχθροί, διὰ τὸ φεύγειν αὐτούς, τάχει τὰς δυσχωρίας διελθεῖν καὶ τὸν ἐν αὐταῖς διαφυγεῖν πόλεμον καὶ τὴν ἰδίαν καταλήψεσθαι, ἐπεὶ πλησίον τῆς κλεισούρας γενήσονται, τοῦθ' ὑποπτεύοντες πρὸς τὸ μὴ πάλιν ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν τὰς πεζικὰς τάξεις γενέσθαι καὶ τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτῶν κατασχεῖν, ἂν ἐν νυκτὶ τὴν ὁδοιπορίαν πειραθῶσι ποιήσασθαι, συντόμως τούτους καταλάβῃς, τῶν ἵππων αὐτῶν ἀτονησάντων ἀπὸ τῆς χρονίας ὁδοιπορίας καὶ τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκλελοιπότων ἐπιτύχῃς, νυκτὸς ὁδοιπορούντων· καὶ εὗρες, στρατηγέ, τὸ ἀεί σοι ἐπιζητούμενον. 23.7 Καταλαμβάνοντός σου δὲ τούτους νυκτός, δέον παραυτίκα πόλεμον συνάψαι εἰς τὸ λεγόμενον σάκα μετὰ πεζῶν συνεπακολουθούντων αὐτοῖς καὶ ἱππέων. Ἑτέρους δὲ τῶν ψιλῶν μεθ' ἱππέων ἔνθεν κἀκεῖθεν τῆς ὁδοῦ ἔμπροσθεν γενέσθαι τῶν πολεμίων ἀπόστειλον, καὶ ἐκ πλαγίου καὶ αὐτοὺς πόλεμον προσβαλεῖν πρόσταξον. Καὶ οὕτως ποιοῦντός σου οὐ δυνήσονται ἀντιστῆναι, ἀλλὰ πρὸς φυγὴν ὁρμήσουσι. Καὶ εἰ τοῦτο νυκτὸς πράξουσι, καταδίωξον αὐτοὺς καὶ τελείῳ τούτους παραδώσεις ἀφανισμῷ. 24.τ Περὶ νυκτοπολέμου 24.1 Εἰ δὲ εἰς ἑτέραν ἔλθωσι βουλήν,