ΜΑΥΡΙΚΙΟΥ ΣΤΡΑΤΗΓΙΚΟΝ

Περιεχόμενα και αγγλική εισαγωγή 

Εισαγωγή στα Αγγλικά σε απόδοση του George T. Dennis, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS, PHILADELPHIA 1984

LET WORD AND DEED BE GUIDED BY THE ALL HOLY Trinity, our God and Savior, the steadfast hope and assurance of di­vine assistance, who directs important and beneficial undertakings to a favorable conclusion. Well aware of our own weakness, we have been motivated solely by devotion to the nation. If, then, what we have written should be deficient, the Holy Trinity will put it in order, turn it to our advantage, and provide guidance for those who may read it. May this come about through the intercession of our Lady, the immaculate, ever-virgin Mother of God, Mary, and of all the saints, for blessed is our God for never-ending ages of ages. Amen. 

The state of the armed forces has been neglected for a long time and has fallen so completely into oblivion, so to speak, that those who assume the command of troops do not understand even the most obvious matters and run into all sorts of difficulties. Sometimes the soldiers are blamed for lack of training, sometimes the generals for inexperience. We have resolved, therefore, to do some writing on this subject, as best we can, succinctly and simply, drawing in part on ancient authors and in part on our limited experience of active duty, with an eye more to practical utility than to fine words. In so doing we make no pretense of breaking new ground or of trying to improve upon the ancients. For they, in addressing their writings to knowledgeable and experienced men, dealt with topics not readily understood by laymen, and passed over basic, introductory matters, which are particularly necessary nowadays. In our judgment, now, it is essential not to overlook even the most obvious things, which are fundamental if one is to command troops successfully. We have, then, devised a rather modest elementary handbook or introduction for those devoting themselves to generalship, which should facilitate the progress of those who wish to advance to a better and more detailed knowledge of those ancient tactical theories. For this reason, as already remarked, we have paid no attention to the niceties of graceful writing or fine-sounding words. This is not something sacred we are doing. Our concern, rather, has been with practicality and brevity of expression. With this in mind, a good number of Latin terms and other expressions in ordinary military use have been em­ ployed to make it easier to understand the subject matter. If, then, anything useful be found in this composition, thanks be to Almighty God, who has favored us with some understanding of these matters. And if any general should through his own experience and diligence come to understand more about such matters, thanks be again to God, the giver of all good things, and may we, if we seem too enthusiastic, be judged leniently. 

First, we urge upon the general that his most important concern be the love of God and justice; building on these, he should strive to win the favor of God, without which it is impossible to carry out any plan, however well devised it may seem, or to overcome any enemy, however weak he may be thought. For all things are ruled by the providence of God, a providence which extends even to the birds and the fishes. A helmsman, now, even the best, finds that his skill is useless when the winds are not blowing favorably, but when he has them with him and also puts his skill to use, he has no difficulty in doubling the ship’s run. So it is with a good general. Armed with the favor of God and, without pausing to rest, employing his tactical and strategical skills, he manages the army entrusted to him with confidence and is able to counter the various machinations of the enemy. It is this which makes things turn out to one’s advantage and which brings one’s plans to a favorable conclusion. To those he deals with the general should appear calm and untroubled; his food and cloth­ ing should be plain and simple; his entourage should not be elaborate and ostentatious; he should be tireless and painstaking in attending to his duties, not slack or careless; care and persistence will easily carry him through the most difficult situations. If he shows no con­cern for a problem, that problem will show no concern for him. 

He should often deliberate about his most serious-problems and carry out what he has decided with as little delay and risk as possible. For opportunity is what cures problems. To his subordinates he should appear even-tempered. He ought not to be easy in dealing with those who have committed offenses out of cowardice or care­lessness in the hope of being regarded as a good leader, for a good leader does not encourage cowardice and laziness. On the other hand, he ought not to punish hastily and without a full investigation just to show he can act firmly. The first leads to contempt and dis­ obedience; the other to well-deserved hatred with all its conse­quences. Both of these are extremes. The better course is to join fear with justice, that is, impose a fitting punishment upon offenders after proof of guilt. This, for reasonable men, is not punishment, but cor­rection, and aids in maintaining order and discipline. 

ΠΕΡΙΕΧΟΜΕΝΑ

• Βιβλίο Α΄ – Εισαγωγή
• Βιβλίο Β΄ – Η παράταξη μάχης του ιππικού
• Βιβλίο Γ΄ – Σχηματισμοί μάχης του τάγματος
• Βιβλίο Δ΄ – Η ενέδρα
• Βιβλίο Ε΄ – Περί την μεταφορά αποσκευών
• Βιβλίο ΣΤ΄ – Σχηματισμοί μάχης και τα διάφορα γυμνάσια
• Βιβλίο Ζ΄ – Στρατηγία (α) πριν την μάχη, (β) την ημέρα της μάχης
• Βιβλίο Η΄ – Στρατιωτικά αποφθέγματα
• Βιβλίο Θ΄ – Περί εφόδου
• Βιβλίο Ι΄ – Η πολιορκία
• Βιβλίο ΙΑ΄ – Το ποιον και η στρατηγική των εθνών ενός εκάστου
• Βιβλίο ΙΒ΄ – (α) Σύμμικτη παράταξη μάχης, (β) παράταξη μάχης του πεζικού, (γ) σχεδιάγραμμα περιχαρακωμένου στρατοπέδου, (δ) κυνήγι