Maurice (emperor)

Before getting into danger, the general should worship God. When he does get into danger, then, he can with confidence pray to God as a friend.

Maurice (Latin: Mauricius; Ancient Greek: Μαυρίκιος, Maurikios; 539 – 27 November 602) was Eastern Roman emperor from 582 to 602 and the last member of the Justinian dynasty. A successful general, Maurice was chosen as heir and son-in-law by his predecessor Tiberius II.

Maurice's reign is a relatively well-documented era of late antiquity, in particular by the historian Theophylact Simocatta. The Strategikon, a manual of war which influenced European and Middle Eastern military traditions for well over a millennium, is traditionally attributed to Maurice.

Quotes

Strategikon

• Σοφὸς δὲ στρατηγὸς ὁ πρὸ τῶν πολέμων ἀκριβῶς τὰ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ πολυπραγμονῶν καὶ πρὸς μὲν τὰ πλεονεκτήματα αὐτοῦ φυλαττόμενος, πρὸς δὲ τὰ ὑστερήματα ἐπιβαλλόμενος. Οἷον, ὑπὲρ αὐτὸν τὴν ἵππον ἔχει ὁ ἐχθρός, δέον αὐτὸν τὰς βοσκὰς ἀφανίζειν. Εἰς πλῆθος ἀνδρῶν πλεονεκτεῖ· τὰς τούτων δαπάνας περιστέλλειν. Ἀπὸ διαφόρων ἐθνῶν συνέστηκεν, δώροις καὶ χαρίσμασι καὶ ἐπαγγελίαις ὑποφθείρειν τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ· ἐναντίως πρὸς ἀλλήλους τὰς γνώμας ἔχουσι, τοὺς πρώτους αὐτῶν μεταχειρίζεσθαι. Κοντάτον ἐστὶ τὸ ἔθνος, || εἰς δυσχωρίας αὐτὸ προσκαλεῖσθαι· τοξόται εἰσίν, εἰς κάμπους τάσσεσθαι σπουδάζειν καὶ τὴν ἐκ χειρὸς σύνεγγυς μάχην ποιεῖσθαι. Σκυθικὸν ἢ Οὑννικόν ἐστι, περὶ τὸν Φεβρουάριον μῆνα ἢ Μάρτιον ἐπιτίθεσθαι, ὅταν οἱ ἵπποι ἐκ τῆς τοῦ χειμῶνος κακοπαθείας ταλαιπωροῦσι καὶ ὡς πρὸς τοξότας τὰς συμβολὰς ποιεῖσθαι. Ἀφυλάκτως ὁδοιποροῦσιν ἢ ἀπληκεύουσιν, ἐν νυκτὶ ἢ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ τούτοις ἀδοκήτως ἐφεδρεύειν. Θρασέως καὶ ἀτάκτως τὰς μάχας ποιοῦνται καὶ τοῦ κακοπαθεῖν ἄπειροι, σχηματίζεσθαι μὲν ὡς πρὸς συμβολήν, ἀναβάλλεσθαι δὲ καὶ διασύρειν μέχρις οὗ τὸ ζέον τοῦ θυμοῦ ἐνδῶσιν, καὶ ὅταν ἀποκνήσωσιν, τότε τὰς συμβολὰς κατ᾿ αὐτῶν ποιεῖσθαι. Ἐν πλήθει πεζῶν προτερεύει, εἰς ὁμαλοὺς τόπους τούτους προτρέπειν καὶ μὴ σύνεγγυς, ἀλλὰ μήκοθεν ἐξ ἀκοντίων τὰς μάχας ποιεῖσθαι.
  • That general is wise who before entering into war carefully studies the enemy, and can guard against his strong points and take advantage of his weaknesses. For example, the enemy is superior in cavalry; he should destroy his forage. He is superior in number of troops; cut off their supplies. His army is composed of diverse peoples; corrupt them with gifts, favors, promises. There is dissension among them; deal with their leaders. This people relies on the spear; lead them into difficult terrain. This people relies on the bow; line up in the open and force them into close, hand-to-hand fighting. Against Scythians or Huns launch your assault in February or March when their horses are in wretched condition after suffering through the winter, and proceed as just suggested for attacking archers. If they march or make camp without proper precautions, make unexpected raids on them by night and by-day. If they are reckless and undisciplined in combat and not inured to hardship, make believe you are going to attack, but delay and drag things out until their ardor cools, and when they begin to hesitate, then make your attack on them. The foe is superior in infantry; entice him into the open, not too close, but from a safe distance hit him with javelins.
  • Bk. 7, Pr.

• Κυνηγίῳ δὲ ἔοικε τὰ τῶν πολέμων. Ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐκεῖ διά τε κατασκόπων καὶ δικτύων καὶ ἐγκρυμμάτων καὶ παρασκόπων καὶ κατακυκλώσεων καὶ τοιούτων σοφισμάτων μᾶλλον ἢ δυνάμει ἡ θήρα τούτων περιγίνεται, οὕτως δεῖ καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν πολέμων ἁρμόζεσθαι, εἴτε πρὸς πλείους, εἴτε πρὸς ὀλίγους γίνονται. Τὸ γὰρ φανερῶς καὶ χειρὶ | δι᾽ ὄψεως μόνον βιάζεσθαι τοὺς ἐναντίους, ὅτι καὶ δόξῃ τις νικᾶν τούτους, μετὰ κινδύνου καὶ ζημίας οὐ τῆς τυχούσης ἡ τοῦ πράγματος ἀπόβασις αὐτῷ συμβαίνει. Ὅπερ τῶν ἀλογίστων ἐστὶν ἀνάγκης με-γίστης χωρὶς μετὰ ζημίας νίκην κτᾶσθαι, κενὴν ὑπόληψιν φέρουσαν.
  • Warfare is like hunting. Wild animals are taken by scouting, by nets, by lying in wait, by stalking, by circling around, and by other such stratagems rather than by sheer force. In waging war we should proceed in the same way, whether the enemy be many or few. To try simply to overpower the enemy in the open, hand to hand and face to face, even though you might appear to win, is an enterprise which is very risky and can result in serious harm. Apart from extreme emergency, it is ridiculous to try to gain a victory which is so costly and brings only empty glory.
  • Bk. 7, Pr.

• Ἐν ταῖς ἀναγκαίων πραγμάτων ἐγχειρήσεσιν οὐ δεῖ χωρίζειν ἑαυτὸν τὸν στρατηγὸν ἐκ τῶν πόνων ὡς ὑπερέχοντα, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἄρχεσθαι τῶν ἔργων καὶ συμπονεῖν τοῖς στρατιώταις κατὰ τὸ δυνατόν.
  • In carrying out very critical operations the general ought not set himself apart as though such labor was beneath him, but he should begin the work and toil along with his troops as much as possible.
  • Bk. 8, 1: "General Instructions", 1

• Ἐν μὲν τῇ διαίτῃ κοινὸν καὶ ἁπλοῦν τοῖς στρατιώταις τὸν στρατηγὸν εἶναι χρεὼν καὶ πατρικὴν στοργὴν ἔχειν πρὸς αὐτούς, πράως τὰ πράγματα διδασκόμενον καὶ συνεχῶς τὰ περὶ τῶν ἀναγκαίων δι᾽ ἑαυτοῦ παραινοῦντα καὶ διαλεγόμενον.
  • The general’s way of life should be plain and simple like that of his soldiers; he should display a fatherly affection toward them; he should give orders in a mild manner; and he should always make sure to give advice and to discuss essential matters with them in person.
  • Bk. 8, 1: "General Instructions", 3

• Πρὸ τῶν κινδύνων ὁ στρατηγός θεραπευέτω τὸ θεῖον· θαρρῶν γὰρ ἐν τοῖς κινδύνοις ὡς πρὸς φίλον αὐτῷ τὸ θεῖον τὰς ἱκεσίας ποιήσεται.
  • Before getting into danger, the general should worship God. When he does get into danger, then, he can with confidence pray to God as a friend.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 1

• Ἢ δόλοις ἢ ἐφόδοις ἢ λιμῷ τοὺς πολεμίους βλάπτειν καλόν· οὐχὶ πάντως πρὸς πόλεμον ἐκκαλεῖσθαι δημόσιον, ἔνθα πλέον τῆς τύχης ἢ τῆς ἀνδρείας ἐστὶν ἡ ἐπίδειξις.
  • It is well to hurt the enemy by deceit, by raids, ог by hunger, and never be enticed into a pitched battle, which is a demonstration more of luck than of bravery.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 4

• Deception is often helpful in warfare. An enemy soldier who deserts to us, apart from some plot, is of the greatest advantage, for the enemy is hurt by deserters more than if the same men were killed in action.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 6

• Nature produces but few brave men, whereas care and training make efficient soldiers. Soldiers who are kept working improve in courage, while too much leisure makes them weak and lazy. Care should be taken to keep them busy.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 9

• After gaining a victory the general who pursues the enemy with a scattered and disorganized army gives away his victory to the foe.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 11

• Δικαίαν δεῖ τὴν ἀρχὴν τοῦ πολέμου γίνεσθαι.
  • The cause of war must be just.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 12

• A prudent commander will not lead an allied force into his own country if it is larger than his own army. Otherwise it might mutiny, drive out the native troops, and take over the country.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 16

• The commander who relies on his own cavalry, especially the lancers, should seek out broad plains favorable to such troops and there force the battle.
  If, on the other hand, he relies more on his infantry, he should take care to choose uneven, thick, and rugged terrain for the fighting.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 20–21

• In time of peace, fear and the punishing of offenses keep the troops in line, but on active campaign great expectations and rewards get even better results.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 27

• When the battle line has been drawn up, the first rule is for the soldiers to maintain the formation and the intervals between the lines.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 42

• The best general is not the man of noble family, but the man who can take pride in his own deeds.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 54

• A general who desires peace must be prepared for war, for the barbarians become very nervous when they face an adversary all set to fight.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 60

• Ἐπειδὴ πέφυκε τῷ φρονήματι τῶν ἀρχόντων συνδιατίθεσθαι τοὺς ἀρχομένους, ἀρχαῖος ἐστι λόγος, κάλλιον εἶναι λέοντα ἐλάφων ἄρχειν ἢ ἔλαφον λεόντων.
  • The spirit of the commander is naturally communicated to the troops, and there is an ancient saying that it is better to have an army of deer commanded by a lion than an army of lions commanded by a deer.
  • Bk. 8, 2: "Maxims", 79
  • Also cited by Leo, Tactical Constitutions, 20, 128

See also

• Kekaumenos
• Isocrates, Ad Demonicum, 34

External links

• Mauricii Strategicon, edited by George T. Dennis (Vienna, 1981), Corpus Fontium Historiae Byzantinae, vol. 17 (Series Vindobonensis) · Maurice's Strategikon, translated by George T. Dennis (U of Pennsylvania P, 1984) — text and translation used above