On Military Matters

On the days and the season suitable for war.
On choosing the site for a camp and the ambushes of the enemy: the difference between a scout speculator: a covert agent or lookout and a reconnaissance spy explorator: a soldier sent ahead to survey terrain.
Regarding the position of the opposing site: the size, morale, activities, and plans of the enemy.
The shape of the camp and the rituals of camp duties.
If embassies must be conducted with the enemy, of what sort they ought to be.
What caution should be used in consultations held with the enemy.
Consideration must be given to the enemy's weaponry.
The size of the forces must be observed: how very large armies, contrary to human expectation, have been routed and overthrown by very small ones.
What if it happens that the camp is attacked?
The intentions of the besieged must be investigated.
That in matters of war, whatever end results should never be neglected.
What if those driven back in war are received within fortifications?
What if the enemy is driven back in war without fortifications?
That it is the opinion of many commanders that fleeing enemies should not be pursued stubbornly nor to the point of total destruction.
That the enemy must be conquered by the mattock dolabra: a heavy pick-axe used by Roman soldiers for digging and demolition: nothing is more suited to a supreme commander than delay and deliberation, while nothing is less suited than haste and recklessness. The author highlights the importance of engineering and patience over impulsive combat.
Care must be taken so that no one, puffed up by success, is drawn into danger and ruin.
On avoiding the preparation of banquets in the camp.
What seems useful on both sides, whether providing or summoning reinforcements if it happens that our army is besieged in a camp or fortified place, or if we are besieging others. Also, on military shorthand notae militares: a system of coded or abbreviated writing and at what time those called "notaries" notarii received their name.

From the authors: Nigidius, Ephorus, Callisthenes, Nicolaus of Damascus, Phylarchus, Varro, Servius, Flaccus, Ovid, Claudian, Cato, Ctesibius of Alexandria, Anaximenes of Miletus, Thales, Marcus Livius the Satirist, Fabius the Historian, Lucan, Juvenal, Fabius Pictor, Cincius, Gaius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Cicero, Seneca, Probus, Valerius, Tullius Tiro, Hilargius, Samius, Peter the Deacon, and Ennius.

Ancient and illustrious terms of military and public honor.
From the authors: Homer, Aristotle, Diodorus, Maro Virgil, Seneca, Lucan, Plutarch, Livy, Cicero, Eusebius, Marcus Varro, and Quintus Mucius Scaevola.