Liber III, Pars III — Quomodo homines bellatores stare debeant, si velint hostes percutere, et quomodo debeant eos circundare, et quomodo debeant se declinare a pugna, si non sit bonum pugnam committere. Cap. XV.

Liber III, Pars III — Quomodo homines bellatores stare debeant, si velint hostes percutere, et quomodo debeant eos circundare, et quomodo debeant se declinare a pugna, si non sit bonum pugnam committere. Cap. XV.

We said in a previous chapter that one should strike at the enemy point by point, not in a broad sweep: in which we taught soldiers, including infantry. In this chapter, however, we want to give special instruction to infantry on how they should stand when they want to strike the enemy. The method of striking the enemy is twofold. One way is from a distance, so that when throwing javelins or missiles, they strike the adversaries. Another way is when they approach so closely that they strike hand to hand. In one case, soldiers should stand ready when they throw javelins from a distance, and in another case when they strike at close range. For when throwing javelins from a distance, they should have their left foot forward and their right foot back. For the heart, which is the principle of motion in an animal, primarily influences the right side, so that the right side in animals is stronger in movement and more suited for motion; and because a mobile part always leans on something immobile, if the hand moves, it leans on the standing arm, and if the arm moves, it leans on the resting body; and if one foot moves, it leans on the other foot that is not moving: it is necessary that the right side leans on the resting left side. When the left foot is placed forward and the right side is extended, a person is best positioned to throw darts and missiles: for then the left side is at rest, and the right side is moving, wielding the dart; with this motion, it moves the air more vigorously and strikes harder. Indeed, we can rest and move both the right and left sides, but the right side is more suited for movement, while the left is better for resting. Therefore, when throwing from a distance, we should rest on the left foot before the throw and extend ourselves with the right, so that we can strike more forcefully and vibrate the dart. But when fighting hand-to-hand with a sword, we should position ourselves oppositely, so that we keep the right foot forward and the left foot back. For since the right side is more suited for movement, if it is closer to the enemy, it can better evade blows: for what stands still is struck more violently than what is in motion. Again, if the right side is closer to the enemy, it will be able to strike it better. Warriors must keep their left foot still when fighting hand-to-hand: and when they want to strike, they should advance with the right foot, and when they want to evade blows, they should retreat with the same foot. Thus, by keeping the left foot immobile and moving with the right, they will be able to strike the enemies more forcefully and evade their blows more easily. Now that we've seen how warriors should stand if they want to strike their enemies, it remains to consider how they should surround and include the enemies. It should be noted, then, that there is a principle that enemies should never be surrounded in battle in such a way that there is no escape route for them, because those who are desperate, feeling compelled by necessity, become bold; for when they see they must die, they can commit many evils against those who fight against them. This is why Scipio's saying is praised, that 'Enemies should never be surrounded in such a way that no escape route is left open to them.' For there is no danger to fleeing enemies, and many risk their lives in flight without harm from those pursuing them. But when they see themselves surrounded, they strike back as if compelled. Thus, as we mentioned earlier, a battle line should sometimes be formed in a wedge shape so that when the enemies are few, they can be more easily surrounded. It should not be understood that they should be surrounded in such a way that no escape route is left open to them, unless perhaps they are so few that, no matter how much they want to fight, they can do no harm. Having shown how warriors should stand if they want to strike their enemies, and how they should surround them, we now consider how they should do so. Now it remains to explain how to withdraw from battle if there’s no plan and it doesn’t seem good to engage in a fight because the enemy is stronger, and we cannot resist them. In this regard, the commander must have a double caution. The first is regarding the proper disposition of the troops. For if the commander decides that there should be no battle, he should reveal this only to a few and not disclose it to the entire army; lest the fearful flee disgracefully and be killed by the pursuing enemies. Thus, the commander should conduct himself in such a way that the army does not believe he wants to flee, but that he intends to prepare an ambush elsewhere and to fight fiercely against the enemy. The second caution must be taken regarding the enemy's army. For he should conduct the war in such a way that this remains hidden from the enemy. Therefore, many act at night rather than during the day: and more have this caution, that soldiers standing in the line opposite the enemy prevent them from seeing the infantry; because of this, the infantry withdraws secretly, and as it retreats, the cavalry can better avoid the enemy's attacks. It's also important to note that when the battle is avoided, the ranks should never break apart, because if the enemy were to pursue those fleeing from battle, many would be killed, and greater harm would come to them from those who are fleeing. But if they were to turn and fight instead. The leader of the army should also inquire whether there is a nearby place to which the army could flee if they were to be routed by the enemy.