Final answer:
Firstly, a person planning to plunder a strong man's home must gather crucial intelligence about the home and its protectors. They must also be physically and mentally strong and employ tactics of speed, surprise, and sharing spoils with fellow collaborators.
Step-by-step explanation:
What must a person do first if they are to go into a strong man's home to plunder his goods? To answer this question, we must refer to historical and social strategies outlined in texts on warfare and banditry. Based on the excerpts provided, a person needs to be strategically prepared both physically and mentally, understand the geography and the layout of the location, and be ready to employ tactics of deception and speed.
A key strategy is to first gather intelligence, learning about the key figures and the layout of the home, as described in paragraph 20. Moreover, the individual would need to demonstrate strength and cunning, as the texts indicate that joining a group of robbers requires passing a test of body and mind. Additionally, strategies of speed and surprise, as well as sharing spoils among the cohort, are emphasized as important tactics in successfully plundering, according to paragraphs 18 and 20.