Byzantine military manuals

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This article lists and briefly discusses the most important of a large number of treatises on military science produced in the Byzantine Empire during its thousand-year existence.

Contents

[edit] Background

The East Roman or Byzantine Empire was, for much of its history, one of the major powers of the medieval world. The inheritor of the traditions and institutions of the Roman Empire, throughout its history it was assailed on all sides by various numerically superior enemies. The Empire therefore maintained a highly sophisticated military system, which relied on discipline, training, knowledge of tactics and a well-organized support system. A crucial element in the maintenance and spreading of this military know-how, along with traditional histories, were the various treatises and practical manuals. These continued a tradition that stretched back to Xenophon and Aeneas the Tactician, and in many Byzantine works, use is made of the works of ancient authors.

[edit] List of works

The number of such works that have survived intact or in a fragmented form exceed 200. They proliferate greatly in the 10 century, when the Byzantines embarked on their conquests in the East and the Balkans, and dry up after the 11th century.

  • The mid-6th century Anonymous Treatise on Strategy (περὶ στρατηγικῆς) written by a retired military engineer.
  • The late-6th century Strategikon is attributed to Emperor Maurice (r. 582-602), and concerns the setting up of an army in formation for battle, giving special emphasis to cavalry. It also includes a section on the fighting methods and habits of the various enemies of the Empire. The Strategikon, although relatively unknown, is widely considered a masterpiece of military art, and forms the core of Byzantine military thought, from which all later treatises borrow.
  • The Naumachiai (Ναυμαχίαι, "Sea Battles") of Syrianos Magistros on sea warfare, written in the 6th century
  • The Tactica of Emperor Leo VI the Wise (r. 866-912), written ca. 903. In most aspects, they are a verbatim copy of the Strategikon, with a few emendations to reflect changes and contemprary practice.
  • The De velitatione bellica (περὶ παραδρομῆς πολέμου) attributed to Emperor Nicephorus II Phocas (r. 963-969). It is an essay on light infantry and skirmishing warfare.
  • The Praecepta militaria of Emperor Nicephorus II Phocas, which presents the army of the latter 10th century during the "Byzantine Reconquest", composed of heavy infantry and heavy cavalry.
  • The Sylloge Tacticorum, compiled in the latter half of the 10th century.
  • The Parangelmata Poliorcetica, a manual on siege warfare, by the so-called Hero of Byzantium.
  • The Tactica of Nikephoros Ouranos, one of the best generals of Basil II, written ca. 1000. It draws upon the Praecepta, but also includes chapters from Ouranos' own experience on raiding and sieges.
  • The Strategikon of Kekaumenos, written ca. 1075-1078. Not strictly a military manual, it contains general advice in military, administrative and household affairs, often illustrated by examples from 11th century events.

[edit] References

[edit] Sources

  • Haldon, John F. (1999). Warfare, state and society in the Byzantine world, 565-1204. Routledge. ISBN 1857284941. 
  • Sullivan, Dennis F.; Heron (2000). Siegecraft: Two Tenth-century Instructional Manuals. Dumbarton Oaks. ISBN 0884022706. 
  • Tougher, Shaun (1997). The Reign of Leo VI (886-912): Politics and People. BRILL. ISBN 9004097775. 
  • Treadgold, Warren T. (1995). Byzantium and Its Army, 284-1081. Stanford University Press. ISBN 0804731632. 
  • Trombley, Frank (1997). "The Taktika of Nikephoros Ouranos and Military Encyclopaedism". Pre-modern Encyclopaedic Texts: Proceedings of the Second COMERS Congress, Groningen, 1-4 July 1996: 261-274, BRILL. ISBN 9004108300.