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ΒΙΒΛΟΣ ΤΑΚΤΙΚΗ Battlefield Tactics in the Greco-Roman World

The Treatise Introduction Sources & bibliography Join

Contents

ΒΙΒΛΟΣ ΤΑΚΤΙΚΗ

1. Introduction

1.1Preliminary Discourse
1.2Preliminary Discussions

2. On the Assortment of Men - Terminology

2.1Troops
2.2Administration and Logistics
2.3Baggage Train
2.4Non-Combatants

3. On Arms, Equipment and Tactical Usage thereof

3.1Hoplites, Peltasts and Psiloi in the Greek sources
3.2Infantry
3.3Mounted Troops - ἐπ’ ὀχημάτων
3.4Hounds of War
3.5Field Artillery
3.6Engineers and Pioneers
3.7Archery
3.8Slings
3.9Greek Fire
3.10Poison
3.11Pennons
3.12Standards

4. On Divisions and Subdivisions of the Army

4.1Divisions and Subdivisions in Regular Armies

5. On the Disposition of Men in the Army, its Formation and Arrangement

5.1Basics
5.2Regular Arrangement
5.3Irregular Arrangement - Drouggisti
5.4Army Formation
5.5Men of the Ranks
5.6Battle-arrays of Various Nations
5.7Other

6. On Military Evolutions

6.1Basics
6.2Basic Evolutions
6.3Complex Maneuvers
6.4Change of Formation

7. On Commands

7.1On Relaying Commands before Action
7.2On Relaying Commands during Action
7.3Trumpets
7.4The Value of Silence to Facilitate the Relay of Commands
7.5Voice Commands
7.6Initiative of Officers during Battle
7.7Misunderstandings Along the Chain of Command
7.8Action Initiated Without the Consent of the Commander or Officers
7.9Size of Units and Command
7.10The Role of the Command Unit
7.11Others

8. On Preparations for Battle

8.1On War Councils
8.2On Preparing the Men for Battle
8.3On Marshalling the Men into Formation
8.4On Stratagems and Precautions to Be Employed before the Engagement
8.5On Deceiving the Enemy
8.6On how to Protect from Fatigue, Hunger and Thirst before and during the Engagement
8.7On the Effects of Weather and Natural Phenomena
8.8On the Effects of Terrain and Features thereof
8.9On the Time of Battle
8.10On the Value of Fortifications
8.11On the Value of Psychology
8.12On the Value of Discipline, Obedience and Good Order
8.13On Experience and overall Quality
8.14On Tradition and Conviction
8.15On Overconfidence
8.16On Complacency
8.17On Making Promises and Threats to the Enemy
8.18On Internal Feuds, Dissatisfaction and Mutinies
8.19On Resoluteness of Spirit
8.20On Using Artificial Defensive Works on the Battlefield
8.21On Information Collection
8.22On Hiding One’s True Intentions
8.23On Religious Beliefs, Omens, Superstitions, Auspices and Sacrifices
8.24On Taunting the Enemy
8.25On Scolding the Enemy
8.26On Multiple Nationalities Present in the Battle-line
8.27On Engaging in Battle in order to Lift Low Morale
8.28On Scarcity of Provisions Dictating Action
8.29On Arranged Battles
8.30On Rage, Fanaticism, Religious Fervor and Defying Death

9. On the Engagement of Troops

9.1On Battle-Formations in Anticipation of Battle
9.2On Initiating Battle
9.3On Modes of Marching to Engage
9.4On Engaging the Enemy
9.5Arms in Battle
9.6On Loss of Order and Disintegration of the Formation
9.7On Stratagems during Battle
9.8On Retreats, Withdrawals, Pursuits and Regrouping
9.9On the Duration of Battles
9.10On Perception and Awareness During or On the Way to Battle
9.11On Reserves
9.12On Attacking the Enemy Commander-in-Chief
9.13On Attacking the Strongest Part of the Enemy Army
9.14On the Appearance of Friends or Foes During Combat
9.15On Fighting over the Possession and Despoiling of Bodies

10. On how to Act after the Engagement

10.1Victory
10.2Share in the Spoils, Rewards and Punishments
10.3How to Flee from the Enemy
10.4Treatment of Prisoners
10.5Treatment of the Dead
10.6Setting Up Trophies
10.7Sacrifices and Religious Duties after Victory
10.8Others

11. On Other Aspects of the Engagement

11.1On Surrendering and the Receiving of Fugitives
11.2On Parleys, Asking and Receiving of Terms
11.3On Duels and Challenges
11.4On Making sure that the Army is physically prepared for the Engagement
11.5On the Difficulties of Crossing a River
11.6On Treason
11.7Descriptions of Individual Action in Battle
11.8On Testing the Loyalty and Spirit of the Men
11.9On the Effects of Fatigue and Weakness
11.10On How to Treat the Sick and Wounded

12. On Numbers and Campaigns

12.1Casualties
12.2Other Accounts of Forces and Campaigns
12.3Other Battles
12.4On the Reliability of Numbers Provided in the Sources
12.5On the Importance of Numbers
12.6Tactics and Strategy to Follow When Having Inferior Numbers
12.7Tactics and Strategy to Follow When Having Superior Numbers

13. Battles Reconstructed

13.1Battle at Thymbara, Xenophon
13.2Battle of Marathon (490 BC).
13.3Battle of Thermopylae (480 BC)
13.4Battle of Plataea (479 BC)
13.5Battle of Amphilochian Argos, Thucydides (426 BC)
13.6Battle of Solygeia (425 BC)
13.7Battle of Oropia or Delion (424 BC)
13.8Battle of Amphipolis (422 BC)
13.9Battle of Mantineia (418 BC)
13.10Battle of Cunaxa (401 BC)
13.11Battle of Nemea (394 BC)
13.12Battle of Coroneia or Lebadea (394 BC)
13.13Battle of Leuctra (371 BC)
13.14Battle of Mantineia (362 BC)
13.15Battle of the Erigon Valley (359 BC)
13.16Battle of Crimissos (340 BC)
13.17Battle of Haemos (335 BC)
13.18Battle of Peuce at Istros (335 BC)
13.19Battle of Granicus (334 BC).
13.20Battle of Issus (333 BC).
13.21Battle of Gaugamela (Arbela) (331 BC).
13.22Battle of Jaxartes (329 BC).
13.23Battle of Hydaspes (326 BC).
13.24Battle of the Creton Polis (Antigonos against Alcetas), Diodorus (319 BC)
13.25Battle of Gabiene (317 BC)
13.26Battle of Paraetacene (317 BC)
13.27Battle of Ipsus (301 BC)
13.28Battle of Tunis (255 BC)
13.29Battle of river Macara or Bagradas (240 BC)
13.30Battle of Telamon (225 BC)
13.31Battle of Sellasia (222 BC)
13.32Battle of Trebia (218 BC)
13.33Battle of Raphia (217 BC)
13.34Battle of Trasimene (217 BC)
13.35Battle of Cannae (216 BC)
13.36Battle of Lissus, Polybius (212 BC)
13.37Battle of Baecula (208 BC)
13.38Battle of Metaurus (207 BC)
13.39Battle of Mantineia (207 BC)
13.40Battle of Ilipa (206 BC)
13.41Battle of Zama (202 BC)
13.42Battle of Panium (200 BC)
13.43Battle of Cynoscephalae (197 BC)
13.44Battle of Magnesia (190 BC)
13.45Battle of Pydna (168 BC)
13.46Battle of Vercellae (101 BC)
13.47Battle of Chaeroneia (86 BC)
13.48Battle of Tigranocerta (69 BC)
13.49Battle of Carrhae (53 BC)
13.50Battle of Pharsalos (48 BC).
13.51Battle of Forum Gallorum (43 BC)
13.52Battle of Philippi (42 BC)
13.53March and Battle Order of Arrian in his Contra Alanos (135 AD)
13.54Battle of Lugdunum (197 AD)
13.55Battle of Daras (530 AD)
13.56Battle of Callinicos (531 AD)
13.57Battle of Taginae (553 AD)
13.58Battle of Casulinum (554 AD)
13.59Battle of Solachon (586 AD)
13.60Battle of Manzicert (1071 AD)
13.61Battle of Calaura or Calobrye (1078 AD)
13.62Battle of Dyrrachion (1081 AD)
13.63Battle of Philomelion (1117 AD)
13.64Battle of Tagliacozzo (1268 AD)
13.65Battle of Tzouroulon
13.66Second Battle of Messenia after the taking of Ampheia
13.67Second Battle of Ithome
13.68Imaginary Battle against the Robbers in Egypt
13.69The Second Battle Between the Sabines of Tatius and the Romans of Romulus

14. Cavalry in Battle

14.1Cavalry Deployment
14.2Cavalry Fight
14.3On Horses and Horsemen
14.4Other

15. Other Matters concerning War

15.1Mercenaries
15.2Non Combatants
15.3On Joint Command
15.4Naval Support during Action
15.5On the Assassination of Commanders
15.6Special Operations
15.7Raising, Replenishment and Rearming of Forces
15.8On Groundless Panic
15.9Military Careers
15.10Women in War
15.11Siege Tactics and Countertactics

16. The Army on the March and in the Camp

16.1Marching Tips
16.2Marching through Hostile Territory
16.3On Action while on the March
16.4On Deceiving the Enemy while on the March
16.5Encampment
16.6Activities on the March
16.7Security Measures
16.8On Terrain Obstacles and How to Overcome Them
16.9Force Marches
16.10On Skirmishing and Harassing Tactics
16.11Night Action and Marches
16.12Other

17. On Light Troops and Skirmishes

17.1On Numbers and Ratio of the Light Troops
17.2Deployment of Light Infantry
17.3The Role of Skirmishers in Battle
17.4Light Infantry as Skirmishers
17.5Light Cavalry as Skirmishers
17.6Other

18. Index

19. Onomasticon Tacticon

Sources & bibliography

Index of sources and bibliography
1.2.3 Primary Sources, as written

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Sources & bibliography · 7th c. AD

Anonymous, Chronicon Paschale

Not quoted in the notes.

Also known as: Paschal Chronicle · Easter Chronicle

← Sources & bibliography Contents →

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Georgios C. Karyofyllis · 2011–2026 · Hosted by Virtus Invicta

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