The military institutions of the Romans

Also known as “De Re Militari” (On Military Matters), this is the only handbook of Roman warfare to survive to modern times. Written when the power of the Roman empire was already waning, it was intended to educate a new emperor on the capabilities of the Roman legions. Vegetius touches on all military matters, including the selection and training of recruits, the importance of logistics and supply, how to develop leadership qualities, the maintenance of army discipline, the use of arms and armor, and various battlefield tactics. It is also the source of many military and political maxims still used to this day, including “He who aspires to peace should prepare for war,” and “Few men are born brave; many become so through training and force of discipline.” Copied and recopied countless times, it was required military reading until the advent of gunpowder, and has been carried into battle by kings and generals.