“No military leader ever became great without having audacity.” The Fundamental Principles of War by Carl von Clausewitz, translated into Greek for the first time, encapsulates a decisive phase in the intellectual development of this leading theorist of war and can be considered a precursor to his later works.

The work was written in 1812 in essay form and was bequeathed to his 16-year-old student, the then heir to the Prussian throne and later monarch Frederick William IV. More than two centuries after its writing, it is considered one of the most important classic manuals of military operations.

It combines theory with practice, providing a wealth of historical examples, primarily from the Napoleonic Wars. The work analyzes the conception of war as a complex mechanism that, when set in motion, causes incalculable friction. It emphasizes the importance of lightning warfare, the decisive blow against the opponent, and the conquest of public opinion.

The value of moral and psychological factors, particularly courage, daring, and self-sacrifice, is highlighted. The significance of the advice and maxims it contains regarding tactics and strategy, both in defense and offense, remains unchanged over time.