Psellus book 6, 82. Maniaces:

"...knew that victories are won not by mere numbers but by skill and experience, and so he picked out for his army those who had the most practical acquaintance with war..."

Supports some of Luttwak's comments about the Byzantine approach to the military and the use of small numbers of well trained troops.

Where does this fit with the degradation of thematic troops during the 11th century?