“Be Victorious but Do not Press your Victory too Hard”: the Image of the Ideal Military Leader in the “Taktika of Leo”

The actual science task is studies of byzantine military treatises created in Macedonian dynasty. The object in article is polemological ideas of Emperor Leo VI in Taktika and tasks are 1) to identify the statutory duties of strategos of theme; 2) to characterize the ideal image of military leaders by Leo VI. The research demonstrated that “Taktika of Leo” was addressed to strategoi of themes and commanding officers of provincial military forces. Leo VI used the data of Ancient and Early Byzantine military treatises (Onasander, Polyainos, Strategikon of Maurice). He knew the battle experience of military leader’s 8th – 9th centuries. Leo VI considered that strategos of theme was key element in military-administrative system. The official duties of strategos of theme and archontes of provincial military forces are set forth in the “Taktika of Leo” in sufficient detail, albeit unsystematically. The basis of Leo VI representations about of ideal commander was Ancient polemological tradition. The acquaintanceship with battle experience of military leaders 8th – 9th centuries made adjustments in representations of Leo VI about war and army. In his viewpoint, ideal military leaders have got a resoluteness and courage, insight and self-control. Stratigos must to be ability to realistically assess the situation, remain faithful to these promises, the ability to have a beneficial effect on subordinates