Stratagems

Sextus Julius Frontinus (c. A.D. 35-c. 103) was one of the most capable administrators in the Roman Empire's long history. During his distinguished career, he served at least six emperors in a variety of prestigious offices, including general, consul, governor, proconsul of Asia, and supervisor of aqueducts. He may have been the longest-serving Roman governor of Britain, a position he held for five years.Frontinus's treatise, Stratagems, is a unique work in the history of military theory. It was likely composed towards the end of the first century A.D. Intended as a practical manual for military leaders, and drawing from the rich history of Greece and Rome, Stratagems offers a wealth of tactical ruses, ploys, and maneuvers that have been used to gain victory. His focus is entirely practical: what must a leader do to win? Because Frontinus grasps the psychological and moral factors of conflict, his work retains a timeless importance that modern readers will find applicable to nearly every field of endeavor.This new, annotated translation by Quintus Curtius returns to the original Latin text to present Frontinus in a contemporary idiom to a modern audience. Containing a detailed introduction, a sketch of Frontinus's life, a discussion of ancient military writing and the realities of warfare in the classical world, an analysis of the text, hundreds of explanatory footnotes, a bibliography, and an extensive index, this translation aims to assist a new generation of readers in rediscovering an essential classic of strategic thought.