An ornate woodcut headpiece features three decorative panels. The central panel contains a grotesque mask surrounded by scrolls. The two flanking panels depict classical figures within architectural cross-shaped frames, embellished with floral motifs.

THE FIRST TREATISE BEGINS

ON THE PRACTICAL MANUAL

OF ARTILLERY.

In which one treats of the excellence of the military art, its origin, and the machines with which fortresses were besieged before the discovery of gunpowder and artillery.

On the excellence of the military art: and how much it has always been esteemed. Chapter I.

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THAT among all the arts and disciplines that serve both for the comfort and the adornment of mortals, the military art is the highest, the most noble, the most worthy, and the most necessary, is proven not only by the opinion of learned men, Kings, and Holy Patriarchs, who have used it as a convenient and opportune means to drive away enemies, repress the audacity of tyrants, punish rebels, and preserve Republics, but we also find that for the punishment of Lucifer and his proud followers, it was found in Heaven by the same almighty GOD, and was exercised by the Angelic Squadrons. The Apocalypse proves this, saying:

A battle occurred in Heaven: Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon. original: "Factū est prælium in Cęlo: Michael, & Angeli eius præliabantur cum Dracone."

Nor should anyone marvel if this high military virtue is greatly esteemed by all: since we see how nature herself, in all the things she has produced, has implanted a certain kind of militia military service/warfare. It is openly seen that without war, the elements do nothing, nor are the elemental bodies conserved. Nature placed war among all natural