Arrian's essay on the tactical art is essentially an idealized reconstruction of a Hellenistic army in which Macedonian principles of organization predominate, but with many features surviving from the classical epoch. The work (Greek text with facing English translation) was intended to be an instruction manual for the emperor Trajan and is, for the first time, available to anyone interested in the Roman imperial army.

ISBN 0-89005-517-3.
viii + 132 pages, and maps
Paperback

This volume contains both the original Greek text as well as James DeVoto's translation of two of Arrian's lesser known works, the Tactical Handbook and The Expedition against the Alans. The former contains an idealized reconstruction of a Macedonian Hellenistic army, mixed with elements of the Classical era, as well as a review of Roman cavalry parade ground manoeuvres. The latter seems to be a literary exercise for Arrian, which he penned as a result of the threat of an Alan invasion into the province Arrian governed in AD 134/135. He penned down his thoughts for a possible battle while his army gathered.