Themistocles
(524–459 BC)
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Themistocles, leader of the Athenians, saw that it was most advantageous for Greece to fight in the Straits of Salamis against the vast numbers of Xerxes's vessels, but he was unable to persuade his fellow Athenians of this.
He therefore employed a stratagem to make the barbarians force the Greeks to do what was advantageous for the latter; for under pretence of turning traitor, he sent a messenger to Xerxes to inform him that the Greeks were planning flight, and that the situation would be more difficult for the King if he should besiege each city separately.
By this policy, in the first place he caused the host of the barbarians to be kept on the alert doing guard-duty all night; in the second place, he made it possible for his own followers, the next morning, with strength unimpaired, to encounter the barbarians all exhausted with watching, and (precisely as he had wished) in a confined place, where Xerxes could not utilize his superiority in numbers.
Themistocles, leader of the Athenians, saw that it was most advantageous for Greece to fight in the Straits of Salamis against the vast numbers of Xerxes's vessels, but he was unable to persuade his fellow Athenians of this.
He therefore employed a stratagem to make the barbarians force the Greeks to do what was advantageous for the latter; for under pretence of turning traitor, he sent a messenger to Xerxes to inform him that the Greeks were planning flight, and that the situation would be more difficult for the King if he should besiege each city separately.
By this policy, in the first place he caused the host of the barbarians to be kept on the alert doing guard-duty all night; in the second place, he made it possible for his own followers, the next morning, with strength unimpaired, to encounter the barbarians all exhausted with watching, and (precisely as he had wished) in a confined place, where Xerxes could not utilize his superiority in numbers.
Art of War MAXIMS
6.27. All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
6.26. How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics—that is what the multitude cannot comprehend.
6.33. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.
6.2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.
6.3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.
7.29. A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.
Insight
Sun Tzu's teachings urge us to know ourselves and our enemies, and the significance of this advice becomes evident when we examine the story of the remarkable commander Themistocles. His strategic brilliance lay not only in his ability to adapt his tactics to suit the ever-changing circumstances, but also in his astute analysis of his enemy, his own troops, the prevailing situation, and the geographic terrain. Following Sun Tzu's principle of avoiding a spirited army and attacking when it is sluggish, Themistocles demonstrated his mastery in studying the moods and rhythms of warfare.
In a remarkable display of tactical insight, Themistocles orchestrated the exhaustion of Xerxes' troops, strategically manipulating the conditions to his advantage. Such a commander, who possessed the insight to inflict weariness within the enemy ranks, is undoubtedly worthy of thorough study, much like the revered Sun Tzu himself. In studying the example of Julius Frontinus and delving deeper into this account, we uncover a trove of additional maxims from "The Art of War" that offer valuable lessons for aspiring military strategists and historians.