The Tactica () is a military treatise written by or on behalf of Byzantine Emperor Leo VI the Wise in c. 895–908,Religious service for Byzantine soldiers and the possibility of Martyrdom, c.400 - c.1000, Paul Stephenson: "Just Wars, Holy Wars, and Jihads: Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Encounters and Exchanges", ed. Sohail H. Hashmi (Oxford University Press, 2012), 35. and later edited by his son, Constantine VII.Edward N. Luttwak, The Grand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire (Harvard University Press, 2009), 305. 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 "age of reconquest". The original Greek title is ("short instruction of the tactics of war"). The Tactica elaborates on a wide variety of issues, such as infantry and cavalry formations, drills, siege and naval warfare etc. It is written in a legislative form of language and comprises 20 Constitutions (Διατάξεις Diataxeis)Shaun Tougher, The Reign of Leo VI (886-912): Politics and People (Brill, 1997), 169. and an Epilogue and is concluded by 12 additional chapters, the latter mainly focusing on ancient tactics.
Manuscripts, editions and translations The text of the Tactica is transmitted in several manuscript prototypes, of which the most authoritative date to within a generation of Leo himself. Leo mentions within the Tactica, that Christianity could adopt Islam's doctrine of a "holy war" for its military applications.Bernard Lewis, The Middle East:A brief history of the last 2000 years (Scribner, 1995), 234–235.
An edition with English translation by G. T. Dennis (ed.), The Taktika of Leo VI. Text, Translation and Commentary ([CFHB 49] Dumbarton Oaks, Washington, D.C. 2010), was translated from a 10th-century Florentine manuscript.George Dennis, The Taktika of Leo VI (Dumbarton Oaks, 2010), xiii.
There is evidence for an Arabic translation of the Tactica or at least an Arabic epitome. Two works by the 14th-century Egyptian writer Ibn Manglī reference and quote the of Leo VI. The passages can be shown to have been taken from the Tactica, occasionally with interpolations making them more relevant to 14th-century Egypt. It is unclear if Ibn Manglī was the translator.
Synopsis The twenty first chapters are largely taken from Strategikon written during the reign of the Emperor Maurice between 582 and 602, but they were adapted according to the vision of Leo VI.
The text contains some drafting problems, it falls very often in unnecessary repetition and word use, despite the promises of the Emperor's preface to the reader: "I tried as much as I could to make my narration simple, clear and precise.
Chapters Preface Chapter I - On Tactics and On the General Chapter II - On who the General should be Chapter III - On how the Decision should be taken Chapter IV - On the Division of the Host and the Condition of the Officers Chapter V - On Arms Chapter VI - On the Equipment of Cavalry and Infantry Chapter VII - On Drilling Infantry and Cavalry Chapter VIII - On Military Punishments Chapter IX - On Marching Chapter X - On Baggage Trains Chapter XI - On Camps Chapter XII - On Military Preparation Chapter XIII - On the Day before Battle Chapter XIV - On the Day of Battle Chapter XV - On Besieging a Town Chapter XVI - On the Actions after the War is Concluded Chapter XVII - On Surprise Attacks Chapter XVIII - On the Studying of Various Heathen and Roman Formations Chapter XIX - On Naval Warfare Chapter XX - On Various Maxims Epilogue
Additions from the Sylloge Tacticorum
Chapter XXXII - Their (Ancient Greek) Infantry Formations Chapter XXXIII - Their (Ancient Greek) Cavalry Formations Chapter XXXIV - Their (Ancient Greek) Mixed Formations Chapter XXXV - How the Romans Name the Officers of the Army and their Units Chapter XXXVIII - Roman Infantry Arms Chapter XXXIX - Roman Cavalry Arms Chapter XLI - Names of Troop Maneuvers Chapter XLII - Phalanx Formations Chapter XLIII - On Depth, that is the Depth of Infantry and Cavalry Formations, their Length and the Space Occupied by an Infantryman within the Formation, the Cavalryman and on the Interval between them within the Formations and on the Flight of an Arrow. Chapter LIII - What the General Should Do When Besieged Chapter LIV - What Should the General Do When Besieging the Enemy Chapter LV - How Should the General Speedily Build a Fort close to Enemy Border Without a Pitched Battle
Preface The emperor announces what is in question in this work, that is to say: not to forget the old military tactics and to teach the modern ones. According to him, they seem to be neglected or even forgotten by his generals, he also states that the use of tactics and military knowledge is better than relying on the number of his troops: “[…] it is not with a multitude men whom the war ends happily, […], but by the science of tidying them up, of moving them and of sparing them.
Chapter I – On Tactics and On the General This first chapter first explains the interpretation of tactics, it is described as “the science of movements that are made in war […] the art of arranging the troops and arranging the various weapons. ". In a second step, one evokes the separation of the military personnel in two categories: "the people intended to fight" (troops on foot and troops on horseback) and "those who follow" (all the servants, doctors and other personnel. non-combatant soldiers). Thirdly, we state what are the functions and responsibilities of a general: “[…] he is in charge of the civil and military administration of the province where he commands, of assembling the dispersed troops, of training them. army corps and to maintain discipline […] ”. This description of responsibility refers to the administrative system of Themes (Greek: θεματα: Themata)
Chapter II – On who the General should be This chapter sets out many qualities or aspects that a good general or strategist (Greek: στρατηγός, strategos) should possess. Here is the list of the most important: He should not rule out of greed, but rather out of devotion to his task: “[…] that he will despise money when he will not allow corruption to be corrupted, that he will govern [...] with no other goal than the honor of them. make it successful. " He should not be too young or too old because: "[…] youth is inconstant and without light and […] old age […] lacks the strength to act […]". He must be loved by his men: “An affectionate general of the troops will govern them easily […] will not refuse at any risk. " He must be a charismatic orator: “The voice of a general is better than the sound of the trumpet; it moves the soul with more force, […] " He should not be named after his fortune but rather for his skills regardless of his wealth. He must be a faithful and pious Christian: “[…] without his divine assistance nothing will succeed […]; that without it you will not overcome the weakest enemies, because Providence governs everything, […] ”.
Chapter III – On how the Decision should be taken This chapter deals with the process through which a decision or a plan, whether administrative or military, should go through. It is first necessary to form a council of persons deemed relevant to a deliberation of the plan envisaged by the general. This advice is used to discuss the appropriateness of the plan, how it should be applied and why it should be executed. The participants in the deliberation must always have a public and not a personal vision during the council. It is also advisable that the participants in the debates be discreet so as not to reveal anything, it is also said that an action proposed during a council must be possible and useful otherwise it will be judged as reckless. Finally, it is said that it is possible to hold counseling alone (if that turns out to be the only option).
Chapter IV – On the Division of the Host and the Condition of the Officers This chapter first deals with recruiting troops whether or not they type of people. Then how the army should organize its troops and which hierarchy to adopt (see Theme ). It is therefore also a question of all the ranks or functions possibly used in an army, here are the most important:
General (Στρατεγος, Strategos ) Lieutenant-General (ὑποστρατεγος, Hypostrategos) Drongaria (Δρουνγαριος, Droungarios ) Count (Κόμης, Komes ) Centurion (Κενταρχος, Kentarchos ) Decade Rosary (Δεκαρχος, Dekarchos )
Numerous other functions are listed as: the door-sign (Βανδοφορε, Bandophore), the leader (πρωτοστάτης, Protostates), Spies (Σκουλακάτορες, Skoulkatores) Doctors (Σκριβονες, Skribones) and others. Finally, it is also question of the organization of the men in the various formations of displacement and the knowledge required for the Centurions and the Decades.
Chapter V – On Arms In this chapter, it is stated that weapons must always be in a condition suitable for immediate use. It is also listed what types of weapons, armor and equipment the different armed troops must be equipped. It is also considered to take into account the use of wagons in the transport of food, weapons, personnel or other materials. The potential use of different siege weapons (if he must have one) is also mentioned, as well as the use of small wooden boats to cross waterways or of transport / warships if the use of these vessels is necessary in the current situation.
Chapter VI – On the Equipment of Cavalry and Infantry The chapter discusses everything related to armor and paraphernalia of equipment that archers, horsemen and infantrymen must wear (detailing especially the last two). Also categorizing at the same time the different army corps:
The cavalry: the cataphracts (καταφρακτοι, katafraktoi, a cavalry with heavy armor) and the non-cataphracts (κουρσορσες, koursorses, grouping together jet cavalry and spear cavalry) The infantrymen: the shield holders (Σκουτατοι, Skoutatoi, derived from the Greek hoplites ) and the psilists (Πσιλοι, Psiloi, armed with a bow and little protected)
Apart from the equipment enumerations, we find here that various advice: "The more the soldier is armed and dressed neatly, the more it raises his courage and intimidates the enemy." ". Used during winter or rest periods to know that equipment or animals are missing or needed. He concludes the chapter by echoing the ancient types of infantry that are the peltasts and the Macedonian phalanges.
Chapter VII – On Drilling Infantry and Cavalry This part deals with the different training and tasks that soldiers must do when they are at rest. These exercises should accustom soldiers to the dangers that await them, keep them ready and keep them motivated. The trainings carried out are numerous and different according to the class of the soldier (hoplite, archer, rider, etc.), they can be carried out alone or in groups, it can sometimes be a competition between two teams or the practice of training and voice commands. or simply cleaning and maintenance tasks. All these exercises seek to forge bonds of camaraderie between the soldiers and their officer and to prevent them from becoming idle during their encampment. The chapter describes very precisely the exercises, training and "simulations" battle that can be taught and practiced during these rest periods. There is also a list of voice command to teach soldiers and officers.
Chapter VIII – On Military Punishments This section discusses the penalties that can be applied to soldiers and persons of higher rank. These punishments vary greatly depending on the wrongdoing ranging from the death penalty, punishment, corporal punishment, restitution or fine.
Chapter IX – On Marching