Maurice's Strategikon: Handbook of Byzantine Military Strategy

Front Cover
University of Pennsylvania Press, 1984 - History - 178 pages

As a veteran campaigner, the Byzantine emperor Maurice (582-602) compiled a unique and influential handbook intended for the field commander. In this first complete English translation, the Strategikon is an invaluable source not only for early Byzantine history but for the general history of the art of war. Describing in detail weaponry and armor, daily life on the march or in camp, clothing, food, medical care, military law, and titles of the Byzantine army of the seventh century, the Strategikon offers insights into the Byzantine military ethos. In language contemporary, down-to-earth, and practical, the text also provides important data for the historian, and even the ethnologist, including eyewitness accounts of the Persians, Slavs, Lombards, and Avars at the frontier of the Empire.

 

Selected pages

Contents

Introduction
11
How the Tagmatic Commanders Should Select Their
17
The Cavalry Battle Formation
23
Book III Formations of the Tagma
35
Ambushes
52
On Baggage Trains
58
Various Tactics and Drills
61
Strategy The Points Which the General Must Consider
64
General Instructions and Maxims
79
Surprise Attacks
93
Sieges
106
Characteristics and Tactics of Various Peoples
113
Book XII Mixed Formations Infantry Camps and Hunting
127
Glossary
171
Index
175
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Maurice's Strategikon: Handbook of Byzantine Military Strategy
Maurikios
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Common terms and phrases

ahead ambush Anastasius the Persian archers arrows assault troops assigned Avars baggage train ballistae bandon battle line become bowshot Byzantine caltrops camp cavalry charge clear spaces close order combat commanding officer Danube day of battle defeat dekarch depth distance double phalanx draconarius drawn drill easily enemy line enemy's especially fighting file leaders flank guards fortified four front ground heavy infantry horsemen horses hostile Infantryman javelin keep KKKKKKK KKKKKKK KKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKK KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK lances large number light infantry light-armed troops maneuver Maurice merarchs meros meros military moira moirarchs move outflankers patrols pentarchs Persians phalanx formation punished Ř Ř Ř ranks retreat Roman scouts Scythian second line shields side Slavs soldiers squads stationed Strategikon strator strength surprise attacks tactics tagma Taxiarch terrain tetrarch trumpet units Vegetius wagons whole army λ λ λ τττ τττ τττ τττττ Ω Ω Ω

Bibliographic information

TitleMaurice's Strategikon: Handbook of Byzantine Military Strategy
The Middle Ages Series
AuthorMaurice (Emperor of the East)
EditorGeorge T. Dennis
Translated byGeorge T. Dennis
Editionillustrated, reprint
PublisherUniversity of Pennsylvania Press, 1984
ISBN0812217721, 9780812217728
Length178 pages
Subjects ›  › 

History / Ancient / Rome
History / Military / General
History / Military / Strategy
  
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