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Frontinus: The Strategemata

The Author, the Manuscripts

As with most ancient authors, little is known of Frontinus, and the Loeb edition's introductory material, by Charles Bennett, is about as good as one can get. It also includes a fairly detailed discussion of the authorship of both the De Aquis and the Strategemata.

The manuscripts of Frontinus are covered separately by the same author.

Text and Translations on LacusCurtius

Both the Latin text and the English translation are those of the Loeb edition, 1925 by Charles E. Bennett.

The Latin text is in the public domain: it is the text established by Gundermann in the Teubner edition of 1887, possibly with some very minor changes.

For citation purposes, the Loeb edition pagination is indicated by local links in the sourcecode.

The Latin text was entered differently from my usual procedure: to save time, I lifted the text from another website, although the edition there, unspecified, was not the Loeb's; and inserted the numbering and the corresponding local links. I then proofread it against the Loeb edition, with which it is now in conformity.

The English translation is, as mentioned, by Charles E. Bennett.

It is now in the public domain pursuant to the 1978 revision of the U. S. Copyright Code, since the copyright was not renewed at the appropriate time, which would have been in 1952 or 1953. (Details here on the copyright law involved.)

For citation purposes, the Loeb edition pagination is indicated by local links in the sourcecode.

I entered the translation following my usual procedure, retyping it rather than scanning it: not only to minimize errors prior to proofreading, but as an opportunity for me to become intimately familiar with the work, an exercise I heartily recommend. (Well-meaning attempts to get me to scan text, if successful, would merely turn me into some kind of machine: gambit declined.)

I ran a first proofreading pass of the English translation immediately after entering each chapter, then ran a second detailed proofreading pass: I believe the text and notes to be completely errorfree. Nevertheless, should you find a real error — that is, not just Bennett's legitimate variant spelling of some English word — please do report it.

Textus Latinus		English Translation
Liber		Book
I	De occultandis consiliis • De explorandis consiliis hostium • De constituendo statu belli • De transducendo exercitu per loca hosti infesta • De evadendo ex locis difficillimis • De insidiis in itinere factis • Quemadmodum ea, quibus deficiemur, videantur non deesse aut usus eorum expleatur • De distringendis hostibus • De seditione militum compescenda • Quemadmodum intempestiva postulatio pugnae inhibeatur • Quemadmodum incitandus sit ad proelium exercitus • De dissolvendo metu, quem milites ex adversis conceperint ominibus	I	On concealing one's plans • On finding out the enemy's plans • On determining the character of the war • On leading an army through places infested by the enemy • On escaping from difficult situations • On laying and meeting ambushes while on the march • How to conceal the absence of things we lack, or to supply substitutes for them • On distracting the attention of the enemy • On quelling a mutiny of soldiers • How to check an unseasonable demand for battle • How to arouse an army's enthusiasm for battle • On dispelling the fears inspired in soldiers by adverse omens
II	De tempore ad pugnam eligendo • De loco ad pugnam eligendo • De acie ordinanda • De acie hostium turbanda • De insidiis • De emittendo hoste, ne clausus proelium ex desperatione redintegret • De dissimulandis adversis • De restituenda per constantiam acie • Si res prospere cesserit, de consummandis reliquiis belli • Si res durius cesserit, de adversis emendandis • De dubiorum animis in fide retinendis • Quae facienda sint pro castris, si satis fiduciae in praesentibus copiis non habemus • De effugiendo	II	On choosing the time for battle • On choosing the place for battle • On the disposition of troops for battle • On creating panic in the enemy's ranks • On ambushes • On letting the enemy escape, lest, brought to bay, he renew the battle in desperation • On concealing reverses • On restoring morale by firmness • On bringing the war to a close after a successful engagement • On repairing one's losses after a reverse • On ensuring the loyalty of those whom one mistrusts • What to do for the defence of the camp, in case a commander lacks confidence in his present forces • On retreating
III	De repentino impetu • De fallendis his, qui obsidebuntur • De eliciendis ad proditionem • Per quae hostes ad inopiam redigantur • Quemadmodum persuadeatur, obsidionem permansuram • De districtione praesidiorum hostilium • De fluminum derivatione et vitiatione aquarum • De iniciendo obsessis pavore • De irruptione ex diversa parte, quam exspectabimur • De insidiis, per quas eliciantur obsessi • De simulatione regressus • De excitanda cura suorum • De emittendo et recipiendo nuntio • De introducendis auxiliis et commeatibus suggerendis • Quemadmodum efficiatur, ut abundare videantur, quae deerunt • Qua ratione proditoribus et transfugis occurratur • De eruptionibus • De constantia obsessorum	III	On surprise attacks • On deceiving the besieged • On inducing treachery • By what means the enemy may be reduced to want • How to persuade the enemy that the siege will be maintained • On distracting the attention of a hostile garrison • On diverting streams and contaminating waters • On terrorizing the besieged • On attacks from an unexpected quarter • On setting traps to draw out the besieged • On pretended retirements • On stimulating the vigilance of one's own troops • On sending and receiving messages • On introducing reinforcements and supplying provisions • How to produce the impression of abundance of what is lacking • How to meet the menace of treason and desertion • On sorties • Concerning steadfastness on the part of the besieged
IV	De disciplina • De effectu disciplinae • De continentia • De iustitia • De constantia • De affectu et moderatione • De variis consiliis	IV	On discipline • On the effect of discipline • On restraint and disinterestedness • On justice • On determination ("the will to victory") • On good will and moderation • On sundry maxims and devices

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