Strategikon
Encyclopedia
The Strategicon or Strategikon is a manual of war
by written in the late 6th century and usually attributed to Byzantine Emperor Maurice
; it is moreover a practical manual, "a rather modest elementary handbook," in the words of its introduction, "for those devoting themselves to generalship."
The Strategicon was written in an effort to codify the military
reforms brought about by the soldier-emperor Maurice. There is debate in academic circles as to the true author of the Strategicon. Maurice may have only commissioned it; perhaps his brother Peter
, or another general of his Court was the true author. The dating is also debated; the Strategicon may have been produced to codify the experience of the Balkan
and Persian campaigns; on the other hand, those campaigns may have been carried out in compliance with the manual. In any case it is considered one of the most important military texts of the medieval years, along with the 10th century military treatises attributed to the Byzantine emperors Leo VI
(Tactica) and Nicephorus Phocas (De velitatione and Praecepta Militaria
); Leo's Tactica
in particular drew heavily from the Strategicon.
The text consists of 12 chapters, or "books," on various aspects of the tactics employed by the Byzantine army of the 6th and 7th century A.D. It is primarily focused on cavalry tactics and formations, yet it also elaborates on matters of infantry, sieges, baggage trains, drilling and marching. Books VII and VIII contain practical advice to the General in the form of instructions and maxims. The eleventh book has ethnographic
interest, with its portrayal of various Byzantine enemies (Franks
, Lombards
, Avars
, and Slavs). The Strategicon also belongs to Byzantine legal literature, since it contains a list of military infractions and their suitable penalties.
The Strategicon is praised in military circles as the first, and only, sophisticated combined arms
theory until World War II
.
Byzantine military manuals
This article lists and briefly discusses the most important of a large number of treatises on military science produced in the Byzantine Empire.- Background :...
by written in the late 6th century and usually attributed to Byzantine Emperor Maurice
Maurice (emperor)
Maurice was Byzantine Emperor from 582 to 602.A prominent general in his youth, Maurice fought with success against the Sassanid Persians...
; it is moreover a practical manual, "a rather modest elementary handbook," in the words of its introduction, "for those devoting themselves to generalship."
The Strategicon was written in an effort to codify the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
reforms brought about by the soldier-emperor Maurice. There is debate in academic circles as to the true author of the Strategicon. Maurice may have only commissioned it; perhaps his brother Peter
Peter (curopalates)
Petrus |Cappadocia]] – 27 November 602 in Constantinople or Chalcedon) was a brother of the Byzantine Emperor Maurice, who reigned from 582 to 602.-Background:...
, or another general of his Court was the true author. The dating is also debated; the Strategicon may have been produced to codify the experience of the Balkan
Maurice's Balkan campaigns
Maurice's Illyricum campaigns were a series of military expeditions conducted by emperor of Constantinopolis Maurice in an attempt to defend the Illyrian provinces of the East Roman Empire from Avars and Slavs...
and Persian campaigns; on the other hand, those campaigns may have been carried out in compliance with the manual. In any case it is considered one of the most important military texts of the medieval years, along with the 10th century military treatises attributed to the Byzantine emperors Leo VI
Leo VI the Wise
Leo VI, surnamed the Wise or the Philosopher , was Byzantine emperor from 886 to 912. The second ruler of the Macedonian dynasty , he was very well-read, leading to his surname...
(Tactica) and Nicephorus Phocas (De velitatione and Praecepta Militaria
Praecepta Militaria
The Praecepta Militaria is the Latin conventional title given to a Byzantine military treatise, written in ca. 965 by or on behalf of Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros Phokas...
); Leo's Tactica
Tactica of Emperor Leo VI the Wise
The Tactica is a military treatise written by or on behalf of Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise in ca. 895-908. Drawing on earlier authors such as Aelian, Onasander and the Strategikon of emperor Maurice, it is one of the major works on Byzantine military tactics, written on the eve of Byzantium's...
in particular drew heavily from the Strategicon.
The text consists of 12 chapters, or "books," on various aspects of the tactics employed by the Byzantine army of the 6th and 7th century A.D. It is primarily focused on cavalry tactics and formations, yet it also elaborates on matters of infantry, sieges, baggage trains, drilling and marching. Books VII and VIII contain practical advice to the General in the form of instructions and maxims. The eleventh book has ethnographic
Ethnography
Ethnography is a qualitative method aimed to learn and understand cultural phenomena which reflect the knowledge and system of meanings guiding the life of a cultural group...
interest, with its portrayal of various Byzantine enemies (Franks
Franks
The Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
, Lombards
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
, Avars
Eurasian Avars
The Eurasian Avars or Ancient Avars were a highly organized nomadic confederacy of mixed origins. They were ruled by a khagan, who was surrounded by a tight-knit entourage of nomad warriors, an organization characteristic of Turko-Mongol groups...
, and Slavs). The Strategicon also belongs to Byzantine legal literature, since it contains a list of military infractions and their suitable penalties.
The Strategicon is praised in military circles as the first, and only, sophisticated combined arms
Combined arms
Combined arms is an approach to warfare which seeks to integrate different branches of a military to achieve mutually complementary effects...
theory until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Contents
- Book I - Introduction
- Book II - The Cavalry Battle Formation
- Book III - Formations of the Cavalry TagmaTagma (military)The tagma is a term for a military unit of battalion or regiment size. The best-known and most technical use of the term however refers to the elite regiments formed by Byzantine emperor Constantine V and comprising the central army of the Byzantine Empire in the 8th–11th centuries.-History and...
- Book IV - Ambushes
- Book V - On Baggage Trains
- Book VI - Various Tactics and Drills
- Book VII - Strategy. The Points Which the General Must Consider
- Book VIII - [General Instructions and Maxims]
- Book IX - Surprise Attacks
- Book X - [Sieges]
- Book XI - Characteristics and Tactics of Various Peoples
- Book XII - [Mixed Formations, Infantry, Camps and Hunting]