Strategikon of Maurice The Strategikon or Strategicon ( ) is a manual of war traditionally regarded as written in the late 6th century and usually attributed to Byzantine Emperor Maurice ; it is moreover a practical manual , " a rather modest elementary handbook " , in the words of its introduction , " for those devoting themselves to generalship " . The " Strategikon " may have been written in an effort to codify the military reforms brought about by the soldier - emperor Maurice . There is debate in academic circles as to the true author of the " Strategikon " . Maurice may have only commissioned it ; perhaps his brother Peter , or another general of his court , was the true author . The dating is also debated . If written in the 6th century , the " Strategikon " may have been produced to codify the experience of the Balkan and Persian campaigns , or those campaigns may have been carried out in compliance with the manual ; however , starting in the late 19th century , some historians have argued for a later date in the eighth or ninth century , on philological or technological grounds . In any case it is considered one of the most important military texts of the medieval years , along with the 10th century military treatises attributed to the Byzantine emperors Leo VI ( " Tactica " ) and Nicephorus Phocas ( " De velitatione " and " Praecepta Militaria " ) ; Leo ' s " Tactica " in particular drew heavily from the " Strategikon " . The text consists of 12 chapters , or " books " , on various aspects of the tactics employed by the Byzantine army of the 6th and 7th century A . D . It is primarily focused on cavalry tactics and formations , yet it also elaborates on matters of infantry , sieges , baggage trains , drilling and marching . Books VII and VIII contain practical advice to the General in the form of instructions and maxims . The eleventh book has ethnographic interest , with its portrayal of various Byzantine enemies ( Franks , Lombards , Avars , Turks , and Slavs ) . The " Strategikon " also belongs to Byzantine legal literature , since it contains a list of military infractions and their suitable penalties . Summary . Book V - On Baggage Trains Baggage trains should be regarded with utmost care as they contain the ingredients to make a forward operating base function , including servants and children . Baggage trains should be kept away from areas of battle to avoid dispiriting soldier morale in the event of capture . Reserve horses should be kept with the baggage train at the onset of battle , their utility is not needed at the front line and will only add to the confusion in battle . The encampment area for the baggage train should be stationed in a defensible area with water and grass readily available at a distance of approximately 30 to 50 miles away from the location of the main battle and should be staffed with a force of two Banda ; the encampment should forage for food and hays equivalent to four days of necessity . The defense force should select known and capable men to form a communication chain from the baggage train encampment to the front line . An intermediate encampment , closer to the front line , should be established between the battle area and the baggage train ; the camp should be fortified and supplied with food for a day at the camp for each bandon . While intransit , the baggage train should be kept separate from the soldier marching lines ; when enemies are present , the baggage train should in the middle of the caravan to avoid harassment by enemies .