Stratagems

The Roman Strategy at War

Sextus Julius Frontius, Pubius Flavius Vegetius Renatius, Vincent W Rospond

• Publisher: Winged Hussar Publishing, LLC
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN: 9781620180969
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

Stratagems: The Roman Strategy at War is a combination of two ancient Roman texts, Stratagems by Sextus Julius Frontius from the first century AD and Concerning Military Matters by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatius from the fourth century AD. These classic surviving texts cover examples of ancient strategy for use by generals as well as the organization of the army in the later stages of the Empire.

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Stratagems: The Roman Strategy at War
• Editor’s Introduction
• Stratagems
• Book I — Stratagems
• I. ON CONCEALING ONE’S PLANS
• II. ON FINDING OUT THE ENEMY’S PLANS
• III. On Determining the Character of the War
• IV. On Leading an Army through Places Infested by the Enemy
• V. On Escaping from Difficult Situations
• VI. On Laying and Meeting Ambushes While on the March
• VII. How to Conceal the Absence of the Things We Lack, Or To Supply Substitutes for Them
• VIII. On Distracting the Attention of the Enemy
• IX. On Quelling a Mutiny of Soldiers
• X. How to Check an Unseasonable Demand for Battle
• XI. How to Arouse an Army’s Enthusiasm for Battle
• XII. On Dispelling the Fears Inspired in Soldiers by Adverse Omens
• Book II — Stratagems
• I.On Choosing the Time for Battle
• II.On Choosing the Place for Battle
• III. On the Disposition of Troops for Battle
• IV. On Creating Panic in the Enemy’s Ranks
• V. On Ambushes
• VI. On Letting the Enemy Escape, lest, Brought to Bay, He Renew the Battle in Desperation
• VII. On Concealing Reverses
• VIII. On Restoring Morale by Firmness
• IX. On Bringing the War to a Close after a Successful Engagement
• X. On Repairing One’s Losses after a Reverse
• XI. On Ensuring the Loyalty of Those Whom One Mistrusts
• XII. What to do for the Defense of the Camp, in case a Commander lacks Confidence in his Present Forces
• XIII. On Retreating
• Book III — Stratagems
• I. On Surprise Attacks
• II. On Deceiving the Besieged
• III. On Inducing Treachery
• IV. By What Means the Enemy May be Reduced to Want.
• V. How to Persuade the Enemy that the Siege will be Maintained.
• VI. On Distracting the Attention of a Hostile Garrison
• VII. On Diverting Streams and Contaminating Waters
• VIII. On Terrorizing the Besieged
• IX. On Attacks from an Unexpected Quarter
• X. On Setting Traps to Draw out the Besieged
• XI. On Pretended Retirements
• XII. On Stimulating the Vigilance of One’s Own Troops
• XIII. On Sending and Receiving Messages
• XIV. On Introducing Reinforcements and Supplying Provisions
• XV. How to Produce the Impression of Abundance of What is Lacking
• XVI. How to Meet the Menace of Treason and Desertion
• XVII. On Sorties
• XVIII. Concerning Steadfastness on the Part of the Besieged
• Book IV — Stratagems[380]
• I. On Discipline
• II. On the Effect of Discipline
• III. On Restraint and Disinterestedness
• IV. On Justice
• V. On Determination (“The Will to Victory”)
• VI. On Good Will and Moderation
• VII. On Sundry Maxims and Devices
• De Rei Militari (On Military Matters)
• Introduction[515]
• Preface to Book I – On Military Matters
• Book I: The Selection and Training of New Levies
• THE SELECTION OF RECRUITS
• THE PROPER AGE FOR RECRUITS
• THEIR SIZE
• SIGNS OF DESIRABLE QUALITIES
• TRADES PROPER FOR NEW LEVIES
• THE MILITARY MARK
• INITIAL TRAINING
• TO LEARN TO SWIM
• THE POST EXERCISE
• NOT TO CUT, BUT TO THRUST WITH THE SWORD
• THE DRILL CALLED ARMATURA
• THE USE OF MISSILE WEAPONS
• THE USE OF THE BOW
• THE SLING
• THE LOADED JAVELIN
• TO BE TAUGHT TO VAULT
• AND TO CARRY BURDENS
• THE ARMS OF THE ANCIENTS
• ENTRENCHED CAMPS
• EVOLUTIONS
• MONTHLY MARCHES
• CONCLUSION
• Preface to Book II – On Military Matters
• BOOK II: THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LEGIONS THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT
• DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEGIONS AND AUXILIARIES
• CAUSES OF DECAY OF THE LEGION
• THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LEGION
• THE OFFICERS OF THE LEGION
• THE PRAEFECT OF THE WORKMEN
• THE TRIBUNE OF THE SOLDIERS
• CENTURIES AND ENSIGNS OF THE FOOT
• LEGIONARY TROOPS OF HORSE
• DRAWING UP A LEGION IN ORDER OF BATTLE
• NAMES OF SOLDIERS INSCRIBED ON THEIR SHIELDS
• RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS
• SOLDIER’S DEPOSITS
• PROMOTION IN THE LEGION
• LEGIONARY MUSIC
• THE DRILLING OF THE TROOPS
• MACHINES AND TOOLS OF THE LEGION
• Preface to Book III – On Military Matters
• Book III: Dispositions for Action
• MEANS OF PRESERVING IT IN HEALTH
• CARE TO PROVIDE FORAGE AND PROVISIONS
• METHODS TO PREVENT MUTINY IN AN ARMY
• MARCHES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE ENEMY
• PASSAGES OF RIVERS
• RULES FOR ENCAMPING AN ARMY
• MOTIVES FOR THE PLAN OF OPERATIONS OF A CAMPAIGN
• HOW TO MANAGE RAW AND UNDISCIPLINED TROOPS
• PREPARATIONS FOR A GENERAL ENGAGEMENT
• THE SENTIMENTS OF THE TROOPS SHOULD BE DETERMINED BEFORE BATTLE
• CHOICE OF THE FIELD OF BATTLE
• ORDER OF BATTLE
• PROPER DISTANCES AND INTERVALS
• DISPOSITION OF THE CAVALRY
• RESERVES
• THE POST OF THE GENERAL AND OF THE SECOND AND THIRD IN COMMAND
• MANEUVERS IN ACTION
• VARIOUS FORMATIONS FOR BATTLE
• THE FLIGHT OF AN ENEMY SHOULD NOT BE PREVENTED, BUT FACILITATED
• MANNER OF CONDUCTING A RETREAT
• ARMED CHARIOTS AND ELEPHANTS
• RESOURCES IN CASE OF DEFEAT
• GENERAL MAXIMS
• Index of People Mentioned in the Text
• Places Mentioned in the Text
• Terms Mentioned in the Text
• Bibliography and Further Reading
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