Skip to content

The general is the chief officer of the military theme under his command. He is appointed by the emperor.

— Leo VI the Wise Tactica (895)

Στρατηγός ἐστιν ὁ τοῦ ὑπὸ χεῖρα στρατιωτικοῦ θέματος κορυφαίος ἄρχων, | ἐκ βασιλέως μὲν προχειριζόμενος.

Original text (Ancient Greek)

Another quote →

More quotes by Leo VI the Wise

For a purely frontal attack against any nation whatsoever is dangerous and full of risk, even if those opposing you may be less numerous.

Tactica (895)

As it moves into battle must loudly shout the victory cry of the cross, customary among Christians (i.e. Σταυρός νικά, 'the cross is victorious').

Tactica (895)

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.

Tactica (895)

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.

Tactica (895)

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.

Tactica (895)

All Leo VI the Wise quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Leo VI the Wise (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.