Praecepta Militaria The Praecepta Militaria is the Latin conventional title given to a Byzantine military treatise , written in ca . 965 by or on behalf of Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros Phokas ( r . 963 - 969 ) . Its Greek title is ( " Presentation and Composition on Warfare of the Lord Nikephoros " ) . The treatise comprises six chapters and presents the Byzantine army as it had evolved by the mid - 10th century , during the campaigns of the " Byzantine Reconquest " against the Arabs in the East . As such , the treatise contains several novel aspects not touched upon in other Byzantine military manuals , such as an exact account of the formation and use of the cataphracts wedge , the new mixed infantry brigade ( " taxiarchia " ) , the proper formation of intervals between units and of how they should be guarded , and the use of the " menavlon " spear . The treatise generally emphasizes on the practical aspects of warfare : various operational scenarios are discussed , as well as the setting up of camps , reconnaissance and the use of spies . The army ' s religious ceremonies are also emphasized , reflecting Phokas ' own religious zeal . The chapters are included and partially amended to account for the early 11th - century situation in the later " Tactica " of Nikephoros Ouranos . Tactics . The treatise begins by describing the equipment , deployment , and tactics of the infantry . It then discusses the tactics for both infantry and cavalry in battle situations against a combined enemy force of infantry and cavalry . The focus then turns to the deployment of the " kataphraktoi " and general tactics for cavalry fighting independently against both infantry and cavalry . Three aspects of battle have particular attention paid to them : how infantry were to defend against cavalry , how the " kataphraktoi " were to attack infantry , and how an army should pursue a defeated enemy . Infantry . The standard infantry formation described in the treatise is a hollow square with intervals purposely placed in the lines of heavy infantry so that cavalry could enter or exit the square . The intervals were protected by light infantry , such as javelin ers , slingers , and archers , who would engage and disrupt approaching enemies to allow time for the heavy infantry to form up properly . Some of the tactical changes Phokas introduced to improve the infantry ’ s ability to defend against heavy cavalry are detailed in the treatise . One of the most significant of these changes was to place " menavlatoi " , or heavy spearmen , within the front ranks . Cavalry . The deployment and formation of cavalry is highly detailed in the treatise , outlining the structure and placement of each unit within the entire cavalry force and defining the individual tactical role for each unit . The most significant tactic detailed in the treatise is the deployment of the " kataphraktoi " in a wedge , or triangle formation . The front and outside lines of the wedge was made up of men armed with either a mace or a lance while the inside of the wedge was made up of mounted archers . During a charge , the archers would fire at the enemy ’ s front line to weaken it before the wedge arrived . This tactic was used as an attempt to break down the enemy both physically and morally . Historical Context . Praecepta Militaria was made by Nikephoros Phokas to be a manual for his army ’ s offensive campaigns against Cilicia and northern Syria in the 960s . These offensive campaigns were part of the Byzantine - Hamdanid wars that occurred in the mid - 9th century . This treatise marks a change in strategy during the wars as it was distributed around the time the Byzantine Empire began to act more aggressive and took the offensive . " Praecepta militaria " was not a treatise that introduced completely original tactics . Instead , Phokas revised existing tactics by combining them with his own experience and observations . Many of the infantry tactics from " Praecepta Militaria " were likely based on those found in " Syntaxis armatorum quadrata " ( ca . 950 ) . Even more influential was the " Sylloge tacticorum " ( compiled ca . 950 ) , which was a collection of tactics and strategems . This collection likely provided many of the sources for " Praecepta militaria " ’ s instructions regarding equipment and deployment for both infantry and cavalry . " Praecepta militaria " acted as an update to existing Byzantine military tactics in order to stay up to date with its enemies . Later Byzantine military treatises , such as Nikephoros Ouranos ’ " Tactica " , would continue this process by using , and revising , the tactics of " Praecepta militaria " as well .