SOURCE: Austin, N. J. E. “Strategy: The Collection and Evaluation of Strategic Intelligence.” In Ammianus on Warfare: An Investigation into Ammianus's Military Knowledge, pp. 22-41. Bruxelles, Belgium: Latomus, 1979.

In the following excerpt, Austin considers Ammianus's understanding of military intelligence.

It has been shown above [in N. J. E. Austin, Ammianus on Warfare: An Investigation into Ammianus's Military Knowledge] that Ammianus, as part of his duties as a protector domesticus, was personally involved in the collection of intelligence of a military nature which was of use more in the long term than immediately. He is also familiar with the duties of other individuals instructed to carry out similar tasks.

First then, autobiography. Ammianus' Corduene exploit was pure intelligence work: the background is clear enough. During the early part of 359, the protector and ex-rationarius Antonius defected to the Persians, taking with him a considerable amount of classified information particularly...