Frontinus, Stratagems - Prologue translated

Although but one man, I’d agreed to set the science of the military’s business in order, from a number of studies of it, and being determined, our care for it had been effective. I should be satisfied at having looked into it. I bear witness to having thus far been bound to have arranged the work, that the ingenuity of generals had made, which are understood by one name from the Greeks: στρατηγήματα (‘stratagems’). I should sum up their memoirs, having prepared them. So, of the plan, and also of providence, generals will be furnished with examples, whence a means of having thought similar situations through and produced solutions may be cultivated from those examples. After this, whoever would compare it to proven experiences would grasp its invention, lest he might hesitate regarding what had happened.

I am not ignorant of, nor do I deny that which had been handed down, and the writers of brave deeds in the encompassing of the work itself. And this part is to be understood both from whichever examples there are by authors, and only by proof. But, as I believe, one is bound to have considered the speed at which the authors were taken. For throughout a huge body of histories to be followed up, it is long, and each one scattered. And these noteworthy men who had been picked out had been jumbled together, as though collecting them for a heap of materials. Our application expands the work, as whatever the matter would demand, what is demanded is as though it should submit to being cross-examined. I prepared suitable considerations of the examples, just like by having examined their kinds closely. However, for a variety of things, the more they are closely discerned, the more they could have been put in order. We divided them into three books. In the first book there will be examples which would be suitable for a battle which has not yet been fought. In the second book are examples which would pertain to battle and peace making being brought about. The third will contain στρατηγήματα (‘stratagems’) for making and breaking a siege. I assigned the forms for their kinds in order.

I agree that I should arrive at this labour not unjustly, nor should I be blamed due to carelessness: a man who would have rediscovered any previously overlooked example from us. For who might be employed to enumerate all the monumental records which were handed down in one language or another? But I allowed much to pass me by and what they might know. I did this not without good reason. Likewise, of expectations, whoever would read the books of others, the truth will be easy to bring beneath each form. Since this work, the reason I would have undertaken it, thus the rest, is that it can be of more use to others than my own recommendation, and to have helped me from these anecdotes. Whoever would build upon something, I should not believe is to be blamed for that.

Whoever might memorise these volumes of στρατηγικοί (‘strategic treaties’) and στρατηγήματα (‘stratagems’) by heart will discern a very similar nature from them. All the στρατηγήματα (‘stratagems’) which are to be had by the foresighted general, usefully, magnificently, firmly, will come into being, if the στρατηγήματα (‘stratagems’) are in the form of them. A particular power in posited craft and skill of these matters succeeds, so when one is forewarned, the enemy could be overthrown. Where, in the matter of words, since being worked out, brought to light and also made manifest, as we had placed examples of things done, so it is of what was said.

Sextus Julius Frontinus, Stratagems written perhaps between 84-96 C.E.
Translated by Maxwell Lewis Latham, 25th-26th of January, 2022.

Notes:

‘may be cultivated’ nutriatur can also be a different verb nutrire (not the deponent verb nutriri) meaning ‘could have been nourished’.

‘lest he might hesitate regarding what had happened’ ne de eventu trepidet could just as likely mean ‘regarding the event, he should not hesitate’ or even ‘he should not be afraid of misfortune’.

‘But I allowed much to pass me by’ at multa et transire mihi ipse permisi could instead mean ‘But himself and I allowed much to be omitted’ perhaps even ‘But he passed me and many others by and I allowed it’.

‘the truth will be easy’ verum facile erit could alternatively mean ‘But how easily it will be [done]’.