Amateur Strategists.

It was impressive to hear again the rebuke of Consul Lucius Aemilius to the amateur strategists of his time. There are, however, other stories. One story refers to events of 773 A.D. It is reported by medieval historians such as Anastasius, Frodoard, Agnellus Ravennatis, and the Chronicler of Moissiac. According to this story, Charlemagne, having dismissed all hope of forcing the Chiuse and not suspecting that there might be another way for invading Italy, had made up his mind to return the next day to France, when a deacon, called Martin, arrived in the camp of the Franks. This man taught Charlemagne a secret mountain pass to outflank the fortresses and to descend into Italy.