War and Peace
‹ 6 · Outline · 8 ›
7.The art of war: strategy and tactics
7a.Strategy, stratagem and deceit
See also: Exploration 4b · Prudence 8d · Wealth 12g
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 65–66The wooers ready a ship and arms for an ambush, plotting Telemachus' death in secret.read · scan
- p. 67The wooers sail to lie in wait at Asteris to ambush Telemachus.read · scan
- p. 197He recounts an ambush before Troy, suffering bitter cold.read · scan
- p. 221Odysseus and Telemachus take counsel on how two men can fight the many wooers; Telemachus counts their numbers.read · scan
- p. 222Odysseus plans the trial of arms against the wooers, including hiding the weapons in the hall.read · scan
- p. 257–258Odysseus and Telemachus remove the weapons from the hall, preparing the slaying of the wooers.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 34The fox's false news of universal peace is a ruse for gaining the cock, and is undone by the approaching dog.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 137Cicero narrates forced marches, a feigned retreat and night attack on Amanus, storming fortresses and destroying the inhabitants.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 100Greeks weary of the long siege build a wooden horse with hidden soldiers to take Troy.read · scan
- p. 100Greeks secretly return under night and emerge from the horse to attack a sleeping, careless city.read · scan
- p. 111–113Trojans don slain Greeks' armor to deceive them, then are mistaken by their own friends and cut down.read · scan
- p. 366Turnus and Camilla arrange the battle plan, dividing cavalry and infantry and preparing an ambush against the Trojans.read · scan
- p. 366Turnus seizes the mountain pass and lies in ambush for the approaching Trojan army.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 15–16Persian fleet at Phalerum, Peloponnesians wishing to retreat to the Isthmus, and the stratagem to hold the Greeks.read · scan
- p. 19Strategy after Salamis: whether to trap the Persians or hasten their retreat, and the stratagem that terrified Xerxes.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 129Alcibiades advises Tisaphernes to fund both sides sparingly so the Greeks wear each other out.read · scan
- p. 131He pledges to bring or divert the Phoenician fleet, deceiving the Spartans.read · scan
- p. 135–136A treaty with Pharnabazus is sworn mutually; Alcibiades takes Byzantium by feigned departure and night surprise.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 171Marcius and Tullus use a Roman affront, possibly Marcius's ruse, to break the truce and make the Volscians go to war.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 290–291Caesar plans a sudden, bold seizure of Ariminum to astound his enemies rather than fairly conquer them.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 334Antony wins over Lepidus's army by appeal and boldness, absorbing legions without bloodshed.read · scan
- p. 351Antony's stratagem to draw the Parthians into battle yields a barren victory, and the army is dejected.read · scan
- p. 352Siege, famine and threatening winter press both sides; Phraates uses deceit and feigned peace offers to make Antony retreat.read · scan
- p. 352–353The Mardian guide warns of Parthian treachery; Antony's retreat is harried, and light troops repel the attacks.read · scan
- p. 356–358Parthians feign friendship while pursuing; Mithridates warns that the plain route hides the enemy army, like Crassus's fate.read · scan
- p. 370Antony's stratagem of armed rowers at Actium, water cut off, desertions, and dispute whether to fight by land or sea.read · scan
Tacitus, GermanyVol. 33
- p. 116The Aryans paint bodies and shields black and attack on dark nights, terrifying enemies; eyes are vanquished first.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 215–216Spurinna restored a king by the terror of his campaign preparations, a noble bloodless victory.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 434The robbers plot an armed ambush and revenge, concealing armed men in jars for an attack on Ali Baba's house.read · scan
The Voyages to VinlandVol. 43
- p. 14Karlsefni ambushes the Skrellings with a stratagem and wins a battle; they flee and intercourse ends.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 407–409Atli's messenger lures Gunnar with promised arms and hosts; warriors' boasts of weapons and wealth precede a fatal expedition.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 96–98Saracens plan a feigned peace embassy with olive branches to make Karl's army leave Spain, while preferring death to surrender of their land.read · scan
- p. 112–114Ganelon plans an ambush of Karl's rear-guard at Cizra's pass so Roland falls and Karl's power ends.read · scan
- p. 116–117Charlemagne believes Spain's wars are done and turns homeward while the heathen host lies in ambush; a false peace is offered.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 70The proposed night attack on sleeping, drunken rebels is weighed and rejected.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 64–65Severus took Rome swiftly, defeated Niger by arms and Albinus by artifice.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 215Utopians shorten wars by proclaiming rewards for killing enemy leaders, avoiding battle.read · scan
- p. 215Utopians' military craft: ambushes reversing defeat, feigned retreats, fortified camps built by soldiers, swimming in armour, secret war engines.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 27–28Guise deceives the enemy with a decoy letter carried by a peasant, so the enemy shifts artillery to a strongpoint.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 134Drake arms his pinnaces and hastens with secrecy against Nombre de Dios.read · scan
- p. 135Drake trains and arms his men, exhorts them with the weakness of the town, and approaches silently to attack at dawn.read · scan
- p. 135–136The surprise landing at Nombre de Dios: seizing the battery, dismounting ordnance, securing retreat while the town rings alarm.read · scan
- p. 136–137Drake divides his men, marches with drums, trumpets and firepikes to seem larger, while the townsmen assemble and use lighted matches to feign strength.read · scan
- p. 139Reports of reinforced garrison and roused townspeople threaten the raiding party.read · scan
- p. 151–152Drake preys on Spanish shipping, gathers intelligence and prepares magazines against enemy attack, and allies with the Cimaroons.read · scan
- p. 152–153The Cimaroons offer alliance against the Spaniards, and Drake weighs intelligence and advice to choose a hidden, defensible anchorage.read · scan
- p. 153–154The Cimaroons and English join forces, each hoping to profit against the Spaniards, who are their common enemy.read · scan
- p. 155–156The English probe Cartagena for intelligence of the Fleets and come under a volley of a hundred shot.read · scan
- p. 156–157The English seize barks and frigates off Cartagena, and a flag of truce covers a Spanish device to delay them.read · scan
- p. 159–160Spaniards use ambushes and poisoned arrows to draw the English into a fight; Drake meets them with close-fight preparations and shot.read · scan
- p. 166–167Prizes taken, prisoners held and an expedition mounted against Panama.read · scan
- p. 169They keep watch against the Spaniards and kill them in the woods.read · scan
- p. 169–170The Cimaroons recount destroying a Spanish attack of 150 soldiers on their town; the party then marches in ordered vanguard and rearward.read · scan
- p. 171–172They approach Panama and hide in a grove near the road to ambush.read · scan
- p. 172–173Drake's party sends a spy and plans an ambush of the Spanish treasure mule trains, gathering intelligence on routes and timing.read · scan
- p. 173–174Cimaroon scouts capture a sleeping Spanish soldier by scent of his match; he is examined for intelligence on the treasure guard.read · scan
- p. 174Drake's men lie in ambush beside the road, arranged to seize the mules without harming each other, and marked by shirts worn over clothes.read · scan
- p. 175The ambush is discovered and the party warned to flee before the city's force gathers.read · scan
- p. 177English and Spanish forces meet in the wood; parley, then a volley in which one Englishman dies, in the names of the rival sovereigns.read · scan
- p. 177–178Drake's men and Cimaroons charge with shot and arrows, rout the Spaniards and friars, and enter Venta Cruz.read · scan
- p. 179–180Spanish horsemen from Panama ride back in fear on finding the town held; the party withdraws safely.read · scan
- p. 187–188An ambush of the Spanish mule trains is prepared, marching in order and silence through the woods.read · scan
- p. 188–189A skirmish with the guards leaves the French captain wounded; the guards abandon their mules.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 404The renegade drills his Moorish rowers in feigned assaults as rehearsal for the real escape, using trade voyages as cover.read · scan
- p. 410The Christians seize the barque by surprise, binding the terrified Moors under threat of the sword, then proceed to the garden.read · scan
Captain Walter Bigges, Drake's Great ArmadaVol. 33
- p. 230–232The governor denies knowledge of war; English forces land prepared for sudden attack and raid boats near Vigo.read · scan
- p. 250–251Skirmish in which incautious boarding party is ambushed and captains killed; town burned over ransom disputes.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 303Discusses raiding Spanish port towns and how easily inland cities can be invaded, weighing damage to the Spanish king.read · scan
- p. 313Spaniards offer signs of peace and trade out of doubt of their own strength, while Raleigh gathers intelligence.read · scan
- p. 313–314Raleigh avenges Berreo's ambush of English sailors by night assault, capturing St. Joseph and burning it.read · scan
- p. 329–330Knowing which nations are friends or enemies is essential for conquest, as with Pizarro and Cortes exploiting native dissension.read · scan
- p. 355Raleigh seeks allies among nations hostile to the Spaniards and the Epuremei.read · scan
- p. 361The Orinoco could be used to invade Peru; enemies of the Epuremei and conquerors are noted.read · scan
- p. 362Spaniards were smothered by burning grass at Macureguarai; Raleigh weighs his forces against Berreo's expected reinforcements.read · scan
- p. 365Weighs invasion against alliance, contrasting English goodwill with Spanish cruelty.read · scan
Francis Pretty, Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage Round the WorldVol. 33
- p. 199Flags of truce, pledges and hostage-taking; the fleet then gives chase to and captures Spanish fishermen and caravels.read · scan
- p. 200Drake trains and musters his men on land in warlike manner and seizes ships; islanders refuse trade under the king's edict.read · scan
- p. 208Drake's men seize a Spanish ship at Valparaiso by deceit after being welcomed as friends; violence with the islanders.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 141Rumors decided military events: Mucianus against Vitellius, Caesar against Pompey.read · scan
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 157–158King Altabin, wise and warlike, defeats the invaders by cutting them off and dismisses them on oath, showing clemency.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 39–41Barons plan a surprise assault on Tynemouth castle to seize Gaveston, with alarums and pursuit.read · scan
- p. 42–43Soldiers seize the disarmed Gaveston after pursuit and rebellion.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 298Edgar justifies reading the letter as a lawful way to know enemies' minds.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of MacbethVol. 46
- p. 387–388Malcolm's army uses Birnam boughs as camouflage to hide its numbers; Siward says strokes must arbitrate the issue.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 59Soldiers approach the tower with caution, waiting for a signal and weighing odds and the King's relief force.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 216Satan feigns peace overtures while unveiling cannon that shatter the loyal angels.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 134Braddock plans his campaign confidently while Franklin foresees danger of Indian ambuscades on the long, narrow line of march.read · scan
- p. 141Indian ruses of hidden fires in holes and the fort's security are noted.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 301–302Patrols and a cordon of guards are arranged secretly to occupy the town and palace avenues under Alva.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 423–426Conspirators plan to surprise and seize strongholds Rossberg and Sarnen before the foe is armed.read · scan
- p. 426–427Signal fires to rouse the Landsturm; Gessler will make a bloody stand.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 108Griso deploys his bravoes like a military operation with scouts, ambuscade and assigned parts.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 191Armies of beasts and birds meet in battle; spies gather intelligence and the birds win.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 23They prepare arms against a possible pirate attack but are too few to fight.read · scan
7b.Sea power and naval war
Aristophanes, The FrogsVol. 8
- p. 482Aeschylus' plan turns on the enemy's soil and naval power in war.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 287The shield shows the naval battle of Actium, Caesar's Romans against Antony and Eastern forces.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 8Themistocles has revenue spent on a fleet against Aegina and Persia, making Athens a sea power that delivered Greece at Salamis.read · scan
- p. 10Preparations against Persian invasion; he ends Greek civil wars and shifts strategy to fighting by sea.read · scan
- p. 11Greek fleet at Artemisium, Eurybiades' fear of the Persian armada and Themistocles' management of allies.read · scan
- p. 11–12Naval fights at Artemisium and retreat after Thermopylae; Athenians hold the rear.read · scan
- p. 16–17Greeks encircled and forced to fight in the narrow seas; Xerxes watches his fleet before battle.read · scan
- p. 17–18Fleet numbers at Salamis: Persians about a thousand ships, Athenians one hundred eighty.read · scan
- p. 18Themistocles wins Salamis by choosing the place and time of battle, exploiting the Greek ships' low build against heavy Persian galleys.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 70–71Athenian fleet ravages the Peloponnese and Megara, matching Peloponnesian damage by land.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 85Before Salamis, Aristides and Themistocles cooperate against Xerxes' fleet, urging engagement in the straits.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 132He turns the naval battle near Abydos, routing the Peloponnesians and taking thirty ships.read · scan
- p. 133Alcibiades uses stealth and stratagem to win a sea and land victory at Cyzicus, securing the Hellespont.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 327Antony's naval crossing, defeat of Libo's galleys and reinforcement of Caesar's army in the civil war.read · scan
- p. 369Antony, though stronger on land, chooses sea battle with ill-manned ships; Caesar's light, swift, well-manned vessels contrast.read · scan
- p. 371Preparations and opening maneuvers of the battle of Actium: fleets, commanders, Caesar's plan to lure Antony's huge ships out.read · scan
- p. 372Describes the naval battle at Actium, the heavy ships and tactics, and Antony's abandonment of his fleet.read · scan
- p. 373Pursuit by Caesar's ships and news of the fleet's destruction lead Antony to order the army to withdraw to Asia.read · scan
- p. 373–374Actium's fleet is lost after a long resistance; the army submits to the conqueror Caesar.read · scan
- p. 375–376Cleopatra plans to drag her fleet to the Red Sea and fortifies Egypt's approaches.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 13–14Cannon fire repels the English fleet from landing; garrison held until the danger passes.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 357England's navy divided into warships, burden ships and fishing boats; two royal ships match three or four foreign.read · scan
- p. 358–359Lists the queen's warships and galleys and says she builds one yearly to defend her frontiers from the enemy.read · scan
- p. 359The queen's galleys and navy keep coasts quiet and repel foreign enemies who would invade.read · scan
- p. 359Argues that good keeping of the sea is the safeguard of the land, citing invasions by Romans, Saxons and Danes and Norman navy.read · scan
- p. 361Saxon kings Egbert, Alfred and Edgar built navies to defend the country from pirates; Norman and modern fleets surpassed them.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 144–145Drake's pinnaces board and seize a Spanish ship in Cartagena harbour and tow it out of range of shot.read · scan
- p. 145–146The town sounds alarm and fires guns as the English withdraw, and captured couriers carry warnings.read · scan
- p. 158–159Drake outmaneuvers Spanish men-of-war sent to recover the frigates, sinking one and burning the other, then fights from advantage in the harbour.read · scan
- p. 160–161A skirmish with Spanish pinnaces ends with them retreating; the English are now notably known and abandon hope of prizes.read · scan
- p. 161–162Drake's men shelter under Spanish rocks and are fired on by hidden shot from the fortified town; enemy fire drives them back to sea.read · scan
- p. 162They pursue and take a Spanish ship that defies their summons and fires on them.read · scan
- p. 183–184Planning to intercept treasure ships while the Spanish are paralysed by fear.read · scan
- p. 184–185Drake's raiding party prepares a captured frigate as a man-of-war against the Spanish treasure fleet, warned by enemy watch signals.read · scan
- p. 185–186Two men-of-war meet at sea, exchanging signals of amity; the French captain seeks relief and a share in the voyage.read · scan
- p. 193–194The English capture another frigate, parting with the French to avoid the Spanish fleet, and sail past Cartagena with defiant flags.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 384–385The narrator serves under Alva and Don John in the league against the Turk, and in the naval battle of Lepanto.read · scan
- p. 385Naval campaigns against the Turkish fleet and a lost opportunity to take it within the haven.read · scan
Captain Walter Bigges, Drake's Great ArmadaVol. 33
- p. 230The fleet sails toward Spain, stopping ships and discriminating friend from enemy.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 78–79Just foreign war is the true exercise of a state, preventing effeminate courage and corrupt manners; command of the sea decides wars.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 88–90Egyptian fleet defects to Caesar's side; Antony's rage at betrayal in the sea battle.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 92Naval power and merchant loans to Prince Eugene enabled victory over the French.read · scan
William Cowper, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 533–535The Royal George, once dreaded by foes, sinks with the admiral, his sword still sheathed.read · scan
Thomas Campbell, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 776–778England's mariners are called to fight, guarding native seas, their fathers' fame at Blake's and Nelson's battles.read · scan
- p. 778–780Battle of Copenhagen: fierce naval fight, then the victor offers peace instead of death, conquering to save.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 342–343Seafaring Northmen gain naval advantage of concentrating force, threatening every shore; piracy turns to trade.read · scan
- p. 358–359English prefer hand-to-hand fighting, relying on individual strength, courage and endurance, closing ship to ship.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1007–1008Sea battle of the little Revenge against the Spanish fleetread · scan
- p. 1008–1009Night-long battle, ship after ship of the Spanish repulsed, heavy lossesread · scan
Oliver Wendell Holmes, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1365–1367An old warship's banner and battle glory lament its end.read · scan
Robert Browning, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1067–1069Nelson's Cape Saint Vincent scene of sea battle and England's need.read · scan
Robert Louis Stevenson, Samuel PepysVol. 28
- p. 286Pepys's letter laments the disgrace of the Dutch war and the Hollander riding master in the Medway; his navy work aided England's sea power.read · scan
7c.Weapons and the changing conduct of war
See also: Art 6e
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 164–166Trust in God, not chariots and horses; enemies devoured by fire.read · scan
- p. 180No king is saved by a great host nor by horse; deliverance comes from God.read · scan
- p. 214–215Prayer for God's help against adversaries in battle; human help is vain, God gives victory over Edom and Moab.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 354Antony's square formation frustrates Parthian attacks; Gallus's rash sortie and poor support by the infantry commanders nearly cause a rout.read · scan
- p. 356Roman shield-formation defeats Parthian arrows; famine and scarce supplies afflict the retreating army.read · scan
Tacitus, GermanyVol. 33
- p. 95Describes German weapons, infantry and cavalry, battle formations and tactics of the Germanic warriors.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 89Dante compares the demons' movements with cavalry, jousts and camp manoeuvres he has witnessed.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 361–363War once fought with sword, now by withholding breadread · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 137–138Narrates a street fight in which English volleys, arrows and firepikes rout the Spanish defenders in the market place.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 378Quixote laments the deadly artillery that lets a cowardly hand kill the valorous knight, and prefers earlier ages without it.read · scan
- p. 380He praises arms and knight-errantry, grieving that firearms threaten the martial valour of chivalry; the curate agrees with his reasons for arms.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 139–140Discusses improvement of weapons (range, percussion, convenience) and the changing conduct of battle from numbers and valor to cunning and arrangement.read · scan
Francis Bacon, The New AtlantisVol. 3
- p. 178–179Ordnance, gunpowder and instruments of war exceed existing cannon.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, The Tragical History of Doctor FaustusVol. 19
- p. 207–209He plans to levy soldiers and invent engines of war, driving out the Prince of Parma.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise LostVol. 4
- p. 204Satan devises cannon from Heaven's underground materials to overwhelm the foe.read · scan
- p. 216Rebels prepare and bring up their artillery; victor angels arm and scouts report the enemy advancing.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 449–450Defence grows more expensive with civilization; firearms raise costs and favour opulent civilized nations over poor barbarous ones.read · scan
Thomas Babington Macaulay, MachiavelliVol. 27
- p. 392–393Art of War dialogue argues for military discipline, combining pike and sword, infantry over cavalry, and little importance for gunpowder.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-RelianceVol. 5
- p. 81Napoleon conquered Europe by naked valor, not improved military arts.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 357–358English war looks to means: weight of battalions, soldiers' health, Nelson's tactics, practice in gunnery.read · scan
- p. 396–397Steam, money and the telegraph change war and commerce; telegraph threads bind the wolf of war.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 116Soldiers practise with the bolas, a weapon used to bring down a fleeing man in the Falklands murders.read · scan
- p. 422Fortified Pas on hills; fire-arms changed warfare, so stockades are now built on level ground with flanking defenses and earthen breastworks.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 371Describes the artillery duel, the guns' positions and numbers, and the infantry hugging the ground behind their works.read · scan
- p. 374After an hour the artillery duel continues without abatement, becoming the normal condition of the fighting man's element.read · scan
7d.Siege and fortification
See also: Courage 8a · Prudence 8d
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 137–138Cicero narrates besieging Pindenissus with forts, earthworks and catapults until surrender, then quartering the army for winter.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 113Greeks assault Priam's palace with tortoise formation and scaling ladders while Trojans hurl stones and beams from the towers.read · scan
- p. 113Pyrrhus breaks down the palace doors and the Greeks slaughter defenders, filling the house with cries.read · scan
- p. 293Turnus attacks the Trojan camp in Aeneas's absence; the Trojans man the walls under orders to wait.read · scan
- p. 293Turnus rides around the Trojan camp seeking to draw them to fight, then fires their fleet.read · scan
- p. 293Turnus plans open assault on the Trojan camp, comparing the war to the Greek war for a ravished wife; soldiers set watches and feast.read · scan
- p. 293–300Trojan council in the besieged camp deciding to send a message to Aeneas.read · scan
- p. 305Assault on the Trojan walls: Volscians attack, Trojans defend with rocks, Turnus fires the tower.read · scan
- p. 305Battle at the Trojan wall: Turnus's assault, towers falling, warriors slain in combat.read · scan
- p. 305Many warriors fall in the assault; Ascanius first kills a man in war.read · scan
- p. 305The combat thickens as Pandarus and Bitias open the gates and Latians rush in.read · scan
- p. 316Turnus slays the gate guards and Bitias; Pandarus's rashness lets him into the camp.read · scan
- p. 316Turnus kills Pandarus and many Trojans inside the camp, blinded by blood-lust.read · scan
- p. 316Trojans overwhelm Turnus, who is forced to retreat and leaps into the Tiber.read · scan
- p. 321–325Siege of the Trojan camp continues while Aeneas secures Tarchon's Tuscan alliance.read · scan
- p. 406Aeneas resolves to storm the Latin city, burning it, since the truce was broken; citizens are slain and the town divided.read · scan
- p. 406–412Latin town burns while Messapus defends the gate; Turnus returns to the fight.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 62–63Pericles defeats Melissus and walls in Samos, preferring cost and time to risking citizens' lives; brands exchanged by both sides.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 135Alcibiades besieges Chalcedon, defeats Pharnabazus and Hippocrates, and takes Selymbria by proclamation and bold surprise.read · scan
- p. 136–138Siege and starvation of Byzantium justify delivering the city from the calamities of war; Alcibiades returns with spoils of victory.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 152Roman siege of Corioli and battle with the Volscians.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 985–986Besieged Medinah's believers are tested by the confederate host; God sends a wind and unseen hosts.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 184–185Franks defeat the Arabs and take Saragossa, breaking its walls and forcing surrender.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 168–170The sheriff besieges the knight's castle; gates are shut and the bridge drawn.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 36A prince who can field an army stands alone; others must fortify towns, as the well-armed German cities do.read · scan
- p. 37A besieging army can hardly stay a year, and ravaging the countryside merely binds the people to the prince.read · scan
- p. 71Fortresses serve as refuge and curb, but foreigners aid a people once they take up arms.read · scan
- p. 71–72Fortresses give temporary refuge against insurgents until foreign aid arrives.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 170–171The island's harbors and hidden channels are defended so that a few defenders can drive back many armies and enemy fleets.read · scan
- p. 174The spring is fenced in and the city walled and ditched so enemies cannot poison or cut off water.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 327–328The Emperor's invasion prompts the King to seek Cellini's advice on fortifying Paris; a poor plan is adopted and a treaty allegedly betrayed.read · scan
- p. 392War of Siena prompts the Duke to fortify Florence's gates and assign them to architects and sculptors.read · scan
- p. 405The old surgeon warns of an ill-defended pass by which Piero Strozzi could seize Poppi; the Duke has already arranged its guard.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 9Siege and battle at the Pass of Suze; the dead and dying strew the captured city.read · scan
- p. 10Siege of the Chateau de Villane: cannon, breach, slaughter of the garrison.read · scan
- p. 17–18Siege at Boulogne: the English abandon forts, cannon fire kills soldiers and Guise is wounded by a lance.read · scan
- p. 20Siege of Danvilliers: a breach is made and an assault planned, but the secret leaks through the camp.read · scan
- p. 25–26Defenders of Metz build stronger ramparts behind the breach while the Emperor bombards, and taunt the enemy with cats.read · scan
- p. 28–29The Emperor resolves to take Metz by force or famine despite losses; the town rations food against a long siege.read · scan
- p. 29Besieged Metz plans desperate defence with fire, artillery and street fighting rather than surrender to the enemy.read · scan
- p. 33–34Sieges of Thérouanne and Hesdin; the castle is fortified against the Emperor's army.read · scan
- p. 34Siege of Hesdin: sorties, cannon fire on enemy water-carriers, and suffering of the wounded.read · scan
- p. 35–36Feigned attack, accidental explosion of the fire store, mining of walls and death of Duke Horace; surrender terms offered.read · scan
- p. 46Sorties, sieges and surrender at Bourges with the townsfolk saving their goods.read · scan
- p. 47Capture of Rouen, with men killed at the breach and malignant air killing the wounded on both sides.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 132Drake fortifies a stockade with felled trees and a guarded gate against Spanish enemies, arming boats on seeing smoke.read · scan
- p. 133The pentagonal fort is designed for defense and easy launching; Captain Ranse joins Drake in consort.read · scan
- p. 154–155Drake builds a fort and mounts artillery on the island to guard against the enemy during the wait.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 385–387The Turkish siege and fall of Goleta, with huge forces, munitions and trenches, and a defense of the small garrison.read · scan
- p. 387The fall of Goleta and the fort after the Turks' assaults, and the captured and slain commanders.read · scan
- p. 392The Turks dismantle and undermine Goleta and the fort, then return triumphant.read · scan
Captain Walter Bigges, Drake's Great ArmadaVol. 33
- p. 239–240Council resolves to attack St. Domingo; landing, march and division of forces to assault both gates.read · scan
- p. 241English storm the gates of St. Domingo, rout the defenders, barricade the market-place and hold the town a month.read · scan
- p. 244–245Night march and approach to Carthagena, with skirmish against horsemen and a naval diversion against the fort.read · scan
- p. 245Describes Spanish defences at Carthagena: fortified wall, barricado of earth-filled butts, galleys and ordnance covering the strait.read · scan
- p. 246The English storm the barricado at dawn with pikes and swords and take Carthagena's market-place and streets.read · scan
- p. 247Officers' roles and wounds in the assault, and the willing fury of the English attack.read · scan
- p. 248Considers keeping Carthagena against Spanish forces, with only 700 fit men.read · scan
- p. 254English bombard the Spanish fort, scout by night, and the frightened enemy abandons it.read · scan
- p. 255The abandoned timber fort is taken with its ordnance and treasure, and a skirmish follows near St. Augustine.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 377Raleigh argues Guiana's rivers, forts, woods and mountains make it easily defended and inaccessible to enemy armies, unlike the West Indies.read · scan
- p. 378–379Argues one fort guards the whole empire, while the dispersed Spaniards of the West Indies cannot relieve one another, and proposes employing idle soldiers.read · scan
John Milton, AreopagiticaVol. 3
- p. 222–225City besieged and threatened, yet its people study reform of great matters.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 139–140Bethlehem is fortified against Indian attack and Franklin marches to build forts.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 474–475Melchthal reports forts stormed and Switzerland cleared of tyrants.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 435Siege of Casale drags on; allies quarrel, Venice and the Pope decline to send troops; narrator ironically hopes fewer are slain.read · scan
- p. 484–485He organizes armed defence of castle and valley against German troops, with posts, guards and officers as in a camp.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 304–305Fort with rotten gun-carriages, absurdly defended by the commander's claim they would stand two discharges.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 352–353Ship passes close to fortifications, exposed to raking batteries; one gun might have knocked it to pieces.read · scan
7e.The general and the prince as warrior
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On Old AgeVol. 9
- p. 48–49Fabius conducted wars with youthful spirit in old age and wore down Hannibal by persistence.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 56–57Pericles's expeditions: fortifying the Chersonese against Thracians and sailing round the Peloponnesus, terrifying enemies while keeping his own men safe.read · scan
- p. 58–59Pericles sought to postpone war and prepare for it later.read · scan
- p. 69Archidamus invades Attica; Pericles keeps Athens within the walls rather than risk a pitched battle.read · scan
Plutarch, AristidesVol. 12
- p. 89Choice of battlefield near Mount Cithaeron chosen to suit infantry against cavalry before Plataea.read · scan
Plutarch, CaesarVol. 12
- p. 297–298Strategy: Caesar moves toward Scipio; Pompey chooses to wear down Caesar's exhausted, ill-supplied army rather than fight.read · scan
- p. 300Battle dispositions at Pharsalia; Caesar criticizes Pompey's order to stand and receive the charge without impetus.read · scan
- p. 310Plans a vast campaign around the Caspian, Scythia and Germany to bound the empire by the ocean.read · scan
Jean Froissart, The Chronicles of FroissartVol. 35
- p. 84–85English weigh whether to sally out against the Scots.read · scan
Niccolò Machiavelli, The PrinceVol. 36
- p. 16Conquering the Turk is hard but holding it easy once his army is defeated and family extirpated.read · scan
- p. 20–21Reliance on arms and force determines whether innovators succeed.read · scan
- p. 23–24Alexander and Borgia manipulate alliances with France and Venice and use arms to conquer Romagna.read · scan
- p. 27Designs on Tuscany and conquest, though pressed between two hostile armies.read · scan
- p. 29Agathocles rose as soldier and defeated Carthaginians, forcing them to abandon Sicily.read · scan
- p. 48A prince should think only of war and its training; princes who prefer pleasure to arms lose dominions.read · scan
- p. 49A prince should train by hunting and study terrain to learn defense and tactics; Philopoemen constantly rehearsed military contingencies in peacetime.read · scan
- p. 55–56A commander must accept a reputation for cruelty to keep an army united; Hannibal contrasted with lenient Scipio.read · scan
- p. 60Good arms bring good allies and secure the prince against foreign attack.read · scan
Sir Thomas More, UtopiaVol. 36
- p. 215Utopian army's command, succession of captains, volunteers, and families fighting side by side; battle avoided if possible but fought fiercely.read · scan
- p. 215Tactics: picked bands target the enemy captain; victors take prisoners alive and keep array.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of BookesVol. 32
- p. 98Physicians or scholars are unfit to discourse on war; battle accounts are uncertain.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 458He argues celerity and expedition win victory in war before the adversary can defend.read · scan
- p. 475The valorous captain is pictured with wisdom, eloquence, counsel and valour in attack and defense.read · scan
Captain Walter Bigges, Drake's Great ArmadaVol. 33
- p. 229Lists the fleet, soldiers and officers assembled for Drake's West Indian expedition, noting their wartime experience.read · scan
- p. 233–234The English land at Santiago under Carlile, a wise commander, and take the town unopposed, raising St. George's cross.read · scan
- p. 248Council weighs raiding campaign against Spanish towns, depleted strength, sickness and meagre plunder, concluding to withdraw.read · scan
- p. 256Captains resolve to attack St. Helena; garrisons kept to exclude rivals.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 308Argues a kingdom forced onto the defensive decays like a diseased body, and urges attacking Spain's scattered dominions.read · scan
- p. 362Topiawari advises that Guiana cannot be invaded without allied borderers, who must supply and guide the army against the emperor's strength.read · scan
- p. 379–380Argues a small army could easily conquer Inga's weaponless empire and drive out the Spaniards, making the possessor greatest among princes.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 92–93Good commanders must be taken however ambitious; a soldier without ambition is like one without spurs.read · scan
Christopher Marlowe, Edward the SecondVol. 46
- p. 25–27Old Mortimer says war agrees with his nature; he is given command against the Scots.read · scan
John Webster, The Duchess of MalfiVol. 47
- p. 758–759Castruccio argues a prince should not fight in person, and a realm is never quiet under a soldier ruler.read · scan
René Descartes, Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking the Truth in the SciencesVol. 34
- p. 53Compares the search for truth to generals' battles; victories over difficulties, and recovering from defeat needs more skill than advancing.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 60–62Captain urges haste as the King's forces will follow; warlike instruments and acclamation.read · scan
- p. 63–66Rival royal forces approach; delay would lose the cause and the soldiers' lives.read · scan
John Milton, Tractate on EducationVol. 3
- p. 238–239A complete education fits a man for offices both private and public, of peace and war.read · scan
- p. 244Students drill in cavalry, encamping, fortifying and besieging to become perfect commanders, unlike corrupt, ill-disciplined officers.read · scan
John Milton, Paradise RegainedVol. 4
- p. 384Describes the Parthian host mustering in battle order: horsemen, archers, chariots, elephants and engineers, marching against the Scythians.read · scan
John Dryden, Dedication of the AeneisVol. 13
- p. 21–22French are said to understand managing war better, English soldiers excel in battle.read · scan
John Dryden, All for Love; or, The World Well LostVol. 18
- p. 24–26Ventidius, Rome's lieutenant who conquered Parthia, a braver soldier than any.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 302–303Gomez praises Alva's skilful, disciplined march of the troops out of Italy through dangerous territory.read · scan
Walter Bagehot, John MiltonVol. 28
- p. 199Napoleon's 1814 campaign illustrates sympathy for a great general vanquished by circumstance.read · scan
Frank Aretas Haskell, The Battle of GettysburgVol. 43
- p. 341Soldiers wait at ease before battle; author argues skillful generalship and good fighting, not numbers, decide the outcome.read · scan
- p. 357Sketches the generals at Meade's council, weary from days of battle.read · scan
- p. 357–360Generals in a shabby room deliberate whether to retreat, attack, or stand on the defensive, and unanimously choose to stand.read · scan
- p. 366–367Meade inspects the line and judges where the enemy will attack; the army waits in readiness for general battle.read · scan
- p. 367Generals Meade, Gibbon, Hancock and others share a meal and discuss where the enemy will attack that day.read · scan
- p. 391Haskell reflects on victory won by the dispositions of wounded generals and the discipline of their men.read · scan
- p. 395–396Defends Meade's generalship: his rapid concentration, chosen position, and letting the enemy attack a strong defensive line.read · scan
‹ 6 · Outline · 8 ›