Tactics
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
Its core value lies in its "systematicness" and "practicality." The book discusses in detail army organization and structure, the use of troop types (heavy infantry, light infantry, cavalry, etc.), marching and encampment, position attack and defense, siege tactics, logistics, and even military discipline and morale. It particularly emphasizes discipline, training, intelligence, and the commander's art of command, reflecting the rational, cautious, and detail-oriented character of Byzantine military thought. For example, the book's emphasis on the use of "reserves" and its analysis of the tactical characteristics of different ethnic enemies both display a high degree of practical wisdom.
For modern readers, the pleasure of reading "Tactics" goes far beyond military history. It is a window into state governance and strategic thinking during the Byzantine Empire's golden age. Through its rigorous, even slightly cumbersome provisions, we can sense how a civilized empire sought to control the art of war with reason and order in order to sustain its thousand-year state. It is not only a military manual but also a key text for understanding the "heavily armored brain" character of Byzantine civilization. Compared with war stories full of legend, this book offers a more solid and cool perspective for examining the cold logic of power and survival in history.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers with a strong interest in medieval military history, especially the history of the Byzantine Empire
- Students and scholars studying the evolution of military thought from late antiquity to the Middle Ages
- Deep readers who like to start from primary texts and explore the governance wisdom of ancient societies
- Enthusiasts interested in the history of strategy and tactical theory who want to understand the classical origins of modern military thought
Not a good fit for
- General readers seeking light, entertaining historical stories or biographies
- Readers expecting extensive detailed descriptions of actual battle cases and narrative content
Reading tips
- Read the translator's preface or an introductory book on Byzantine history first to establish a basic background framework for the internal and external situation of the Byzantine Empire around the 10th century.
- Read this book in comparison with Vegetius's "On Military Matters" to observe the continuity and evolution of the Roman military tradition in Byzantium.
- Do not get bogged down in word-by-word reading; focus on army organization, training principles, and the classification of tactics against different enemies, and appreciate its systematic thinking.
About the publisher
Founded in 1997 and based in Beijing, Taihai Publishing House takes “building cultural bridges and promoting cross-strait unity” as its mission, focusing on Taiwan-related studies, social sciences and humanities, Chinese and foreign history, and literature. Judging from the 709 titles in the database, its publishing centers on foreign literature and classic works, with attention to Eastern philosophy, architecture, and social culture. Representative books include Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha and Steppenwolf and the four-volume Hesse literary series, Liang Sicheng’s A History of Chinese Architecture, Lao She’s Teahouse (unabridged classic edition), Sun Wu’s The Art of War, and collections by W. Somerset Maugham, Yasunari Kawabata, and Yukio Mishima. Its authors include major foreign writers such as Hesse, Maugham, Kawabata, and Mishima, as well as Liang Sicheng, Lao She, and Sun Wu. Its publishing features complete presentation of classic texts and series-based organization of foreign literature; public information on its Taiwan-related studies titles and authors is limited.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 引子 战争中应用的战术汇总
- 第一章 战术与将军
- 第二章 将军
- 第三章 计划
- 第四章 部队划分与军官委任
- 第五章 武器装备
- 第六章 步兵与骑兵的装备
- 第七章 关于骑兵与步兵的训练
- 第八章 军法
- 第九章 行军
- 第十章 辎重车辆
- 第十一章 军营
- 第十二章 战前准备
- 第十三章 开战前一天
- 第十四章 开战当天
- 第十五章 攻城
- 第十六章 战后事宜
- 第十七章 偷袭
- 第十八章 各民族和罗马人的阵形
- 第十九章 海战
- 第二十章 摘录
- 后记
- 附录一 利奥六世时代的拜占庭地方军
- 附录二 《战术》与《论军事》的军阵部署浅析
- 附录三 军阵部署详细图
FAQ
Why did Leo VI, as emperor, personally write a military work?
What is the historical status and influence of "Tactics"?
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About the author
Leo VI was a Byzantine emperor, but the information available about him in Chinese-language book materials is quite limited, and his life, dates of birth and death, and nationality are not clearly recorded. The library currently holds two of his works, namely Byzantine Strategy and Tactics (2 volumes) and Tactics. Belonging to the categories of social culture and military affairs, these works reflect his attention to military organization, the use of tactics, and imperial defense. They are regarded as important texts in the Byzantine military tradition and have long been cited by later students of Byzantine warfare and strategic thought, giving them a certain value as historical sources. Because public information is limited, only the subject matter and influence of these works are briefly described here; his specific experiences and achievements await further verification.
Li Da (1890–1966), styled Heming, was a native of Lingling, Hunan. A Marxist philosopher and educator, he was one of the principal founders of the Communist Party of China. He edited the monthly Communist and devoted himself over the long term to the study and dissemination of Marxist theory, authoring works such as An Outline of Sociology, An Outline of Materialist Dialectics, and An Exposition of "On Practice." After the founding of New China, he served as president of Hunan University and Wuhan University. The library holds twelve of his works, spanning medicine, social culture, social science, world history, military affairs, and examinations. These range from theoretical writings such as the New Outline of Sociology to medical practice texts such as Insights into the Diagnosis and Treatment of Purpura and Collected Experience of Professor Liang Bing, as well as translations and introductions on world history and military affairs, including Byzantine Strategy and Tactics, The Byzantine Gift, and The World of the Vikings. His writing combines theoretical reflection with the popularization of knowledge, reflecting a cross-disciplinary scholarly concern.
