Leo VI the Wise

It is not any of those things sought after and esteemed by men that brings such joy to Our Majesty as does the peace and prosperity of our subjects.

Leo VI, also known as Leo the Wise (Greek: Λέων ὁ Σοφός, Léōn ho Sophós; 19 September 866 – 11 May 912), was Byzantine Emperor from 886 to 912. The second ruler of the Macedonian dynasty (although his parentage is unclear), he was very well read, leading to his epithet. During his reign, the renaissance of letters, begun by his predecessor Basil I, continued; but the empire also saw several military defeats in the Balkans against Bulgaria and against the Arabs in Sicily and the Aegean. His reign also witnessed the formal discontinuation of several ancient Roman institutions, such as the separate office of Roman consul.

Quotes

Tactica (c. 895–908)

• Οὐ βασιλικὴ δορυφορία καὶ ἐξουσία, οὐ τῆς ἐξουσίας δυναστεία καὶ περιουσία, οὐ τῆς περιουσίας ἐπίδειξις καὶ ἀπόλαυσις, οὐδὲν ὅσα τῶν ἐν ἀνθρώ-ποις ἐφετῶν καὶ τιμίων τὴν ἡμετέραν οὕτως εὐφραίνει βασιλείαν ὡς ἡ τῶν ὑπηκόων εἰρήνη καὶ εὐημερία καὶ τῶν πολιτικῶν πραγμάτων ἡ δι' αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὸ κρεῖττον κατάστασίς τε καὶ ἐπανόρθωσις.
  • It is not the imperial pageantry and authority, not the power and extent of that authority, not the display and enjoyment of all that. It is not any of those things sought after and esteemed by men that brings such joy to Our Majesty as does the peace and prosperity of our subjects and the setting aright and the constant improvement in those matters that affect our citizens.
  • Prologue, sect. 2 (tr. George Dennis, 2010)

• Στρατηγός ἐστιν ὁ τοῦ ὑπὸ χεῖρα στρατιωτικοῦ θέματος κορυφαίος ἄρχων, | ἐκ βασιλέως μὲν προχειριζόμενος.
  • The general is the chief officer of the military theme under his command. He is appointed by the emperor.
  • Constitution 1: Tactics and the General, sect. 10 (tr. George Dennis, 2010)

• Τοῖς γὰρ τῶν ἀρχόντων φρονήμασι φιλεῖ πως συνδιατί-θεσθαι τὸ ἀρχόμενον, ὡς ἂν κατὰ τὴν παροιμίαν· μὴ ἔλαφοι λεόντων ἄρχουσιν ἀλλὰ λέοντες ἐλάφων.
  • Subjects somehow tend to be affected by the resolute spirit of their leaders. As the proverb has it: Deer ought not to rule over lions, but lions over deer.
  • Constitution 2: Qualities Required in the General, sect. 32 (tr. George Dennis, 2010)

• Ὁπλίσεις μὲν οὖν τὸν πεζὸν σκουτάτον, τὸν πάλαι καλούμενον ὁπλίτην, ὥστε ἔχειν σπάθην, κοντάριν, σκουτάριν, ὅτε μὲν χρεία καλεῖ, ἐπίμηκες, μέγα, ὃ καλεῖται θυρεός, πάντως δὲ στρογγύλον τέλειον. τὰ δὲ σκουτάρια ὁμόχροα πάντων ἢ κατὰ ἀριθμὸν ἢ κατὰ τάγμα.
  • You shall equip the infantry skoutatos, formerly called hoplite, with a sword, a lance, and, when necessary, a shield of the kind called thyreos, large and oblong in shape but altogether completely curved. All the shields in each arithmos or tagma should be of the same color.
  • Constitution 6: Armament for Cavalry and Infantry, sect. 21 (tr. George Dennis, 2010)

• Καὶ γὰρ ἐπισφαλές ἐστι καὶ ἐπικίνδυνον ἡ δι' ὄψεως μόνον μάχη καὶ πρὸς οἱονδήποτε ἔθνος γινομένη, κἂν τάχα καὶ ὀλιγώτερον πλῆθός ἐστι τὸ ἀντικαθιστάμενον.
  • For a purely frontal attack against any nation whatsoever is dangerous and full of risk, even if those opposing you may be less numerous.
  • Constitution 12: Advance Preparation for Battle, sect. 27 (tr. George Dennis, 2010)

• Καὶ κινοῦντα μὲν πρὸς τὴν συμπλοκὴν τὴν συνήθη Χριστιανοῖς νικητήριον τοῦ σταυροῦ φωνὴν ἀνα-κράζειν δεῖ.
  • As it moves into battle <the men> must loudly shout the victory cry of the cross, customary among Christians (i.e. Σταυρός νικά, 'the cross is victorious').
  • Constitution 12: Advance Preparation for Battle, sect. 55 (tr. George Dennis, 2010)

External links

• George Dennis, trans. The Taktika of Leo VI, CFHB 49 (Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks, 2010)