Ancient History Encyclopedia, 20 Sep 2019. Belisarius is listed among the notable candidates for the title of 'Last of the Romans' by which is meant the last individual who most perfectly embodies the values of the Roman Empire at its best. Whatever promise Justin I saw in Belisarius, it was not proven by his first engagements. The crowds at the Hippodrome in January 532 CE were no happier with the imprisonment verdict than they had been with execution and, during the races that day, they broke out in a riot chanting “Nika!” (“win”) and stormed Justinian I’s palace. Dissembling, Belisarius accepted the Goths’ capitulation and then refused the title, which would have proved dangerous, thus antagonizing the Goths without relieving Justinian’s suspicions. A number of athletes had been arrested for murder after a fight following a race and most had been executed. The Vandals had conquered the African provinces of the former Roman Empire under the leadership of their king Gaiseric (r. 428-478 CE). Imperial rule had broken down in Italy under Belisarius’s incompetent successors. Adding what men he could find to his private retinue, he frightened the Huns away by clever stratagems and then resumed his retirement. Belisarius left of Justinian I at the center. Belisarius was defeated a number of times before he seems to have gotten a better grasp of full-scale engagements and the command of large forces. However, the emperor had help from one of the greatest general by Flavius Belisarius. Diocletian was first and foremost a soldier, but he made reforms not only in Roman military, but also in its financial system, administration, religion, architecture and changed rules of ruling the Empire. As one of the last important figures in the Roman military tradition, he led imperial armies against the Sasanian empire (Persia) and the Vandal kingdom of North Africa, among others. Totila, King of the Ostrogothsby The Walters Art Museum (CC BY-SA). Belisarious , Justinian’s General , that the Emperor loved to hate . Antonia had followed Belisarius on his campaigns and seemed to be a loyal wife and confidante but, according to Procopius, she was actually in the service of the empress Theodora to spy on Belisarius. Many Slavs settled in this region. He is often regarded as one of the greatest generals of the Byzantine Empire . Corrections? The Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527-565) restored the Byzantine Empire to greatness. "Belisarius." 15 Jan 2021. He was assassinated by Amalasuntha’s son-in-law Witigis (also given as Vitiges, r. 536-540 CE) in 536 CE who then organized defense of his realm but did no better than Theodahad. Little is known of Belisarius’s early years. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He also recaptured the lands of the Western Roman Empire. The Italian wars were left to be completed by other generals, notably the eunuch Narses, who would receive Justinian’s fuller support. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri. Flavius Belisarius (500 - 565 AD) personified the perfect example of what a general of a powerful empire ought to have been. This huge invading force left Constantinople and landed in Sicily to resupply. By the time Gelimer arrived, he found only the bodies of his defeated army and his dead brother. He then sent emissaries to Constantinople to negotiate a peace but his messengers were denied an audience and then arrested. His name at birth was Petrus Sabbatius. Since these ports and adjacent lands were no longer governed by the empire, they were not generating any income for Justinian I, whose popularity was at an all-time low following the Nika Riots and other setbacks and who needed a great victory (and more money) to restore his prestige. Justin I was so impressed by the young man that he made him an officer and then promoted him to command. But his conduct was so meek, and his manners so affable, that he seemed like a very poor man, and one of no repute. Although his name is not as well known as it once was, Belisarius has long been considered one of history’s finest tacticians. Under the orders of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, the sixth century general reclaimed vast tracts of Western Roman territory, from northern Africa to the Italian peninsula. Returning to Constantinople, Belisarius was allowed to retain his wealth and large household bodyguard. I think the reason why it was successful in Europe and the Middle East (until the rise of Islam) was because of it's similarities to the pagan religion. The emperor recalled him from Italy in temporary disfavour but sent him in the following year to fight again in Mesopotamia against the Sāsānians. Justinian I’s policies – especially concerning taxation and the methods of tax collection – were extremely unpopular with the people of his capital city of Constantinople and, in 532 CE, this situation exploded in the so-called Nika Riots. Web. Antonina seems to have utterly captivated him, but her reckless and immoral behaviour brought him embarrassment and humiliation. (110). Map of the Gothic Warby Cplakidas (CC BY-SA). For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Gelimer marched on Carthage but was defeated at the Battle of Tricameron in December 533 CE. He thought it best to keep Belisarius close at hand where he could be better controlled and so recalled Belisarius to Constantinople and replaced him in Italy with Byzantine officials. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. The Belisarius Series is a fictional saga in the alternate history and military history subgenres of science fiction, written by American authors David Drake and Eric Flint.Its protagonist is a real historical figure, the late Roman general Flavius Belisarius (505–565 AD).. the last individual who embodied the … In 545 CE, Justinian I sent Belisarius back to Italy to deal with Totila and, in December of that year, Totila took the city of Rome. He was just another man in a turbulent age, driven by ambition (and luck) to the forefront of Justinian's wars, only to fall from grace when the mercurial emperor grew suspicious. Totila defeated them easily and, by 542 CE, had over 20,000 men under his command with his ranks swelling daily. Belisarius was incredibly popular among his men as well as among those he conquered and so, in Justinian I’s mind, there was no reason why his general would not rise up against him. Belisarius was ordered back to Constantinople to stand charges for his defeat on the grounds of incompetence but was cleared of all charges and resumed his duties. Justinian I commuted the sentences of the last two from execution to imprisonment when it became clear how unhappy the populace was with his previous choices. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Thus its not that retaking Italy wasn't important, because it absolutely was considering how much money he spent in the attempt, or that Belisarius' army was small because the Empire couldn't spare or gather more troops. Scholar David L. Bongard comments: A brave and skillful soldier, Belisarius was a talented tactician, bold, wily, and flexible; despite his shabby treatment at the hands of Justinian, he always behaved loyally [even to the point of refusing] the offer of a crown of his own at Ravenna. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Belisarius, (born c. 505, Germania, Illyria?—died March 565), Byzantine general, the leading military figure in the age of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I (527–565). Belisarius’s character is elusive. Rome was a famous city, Belisarius noted, and if Totila left it intact, he would be remembered well; if he destroyed it, he would forever be held in disdain. Totila agreed in a move which scholar Herwig Wolfram (expressing scholarly consensus) refers to as “the momentous mistake of giving up Rome” (356). Justinian had already come to fear that so popular a commander might win sufficient prestige to aim at his throne. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Back in Constantinople, Belisarius was as popular as ever – far more than Justinian I. He was so distraught over Ammatus’ death that he halted the army in order to bury him with the proper rites. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. As Fuller notes, “because correct timing was the prerequisite of success, in a clockless age it would have been a fluke had the three columns engaged simultaneously” (312). Despite some successes, Belisarius had difficulties with his unruly soldiers, and then he was stripped of his command on charges of disloyalty. The country had been stable and prosperous under the Ostrogoth king Theodoric the Great (r. 493-526 CE) who provided the Byzantine Empire with revenue but, since his death, had fallen into chaos under the rule of self-seeking and weak monarchs. In order for the plan to work, everyone had to move at exactly the right time. When Justin I died, in spite of Belisarius’ defeats, Justinian I promoted him to command of the eastern forces against the Sassanid Empire, and he won a great victory at the Battle of Dara in 530 CE during the Iberian War. While he was off fighting the Persians, the situation in Italy had worsened. Justinian recalled Belisarius from Italy and replaced him with the general Germanus, second husband of the late Amalasuntha, but Germanus died before he could reach Italy and was replaced by Narses (l. c. 480-573 CE) who would defeat Totila at the Battle of Taginae in 552 CE, killing him and restoring Italy to the Byzantine Empire. The plan was ambitious, but it was meant to be carried out with an almost ridiculously small expeditionary force. A myth later grew up around this event in which Justinian I had Belisarius blinded and the great general became a beggar on the streets of Constantinople. Belisarius is remembered for saving Rome in a time of need. Belisarius was Roman. Belisarius had taken the city back as part of Emperor Justinian’s grand plan to recover the western provinces from their barbarian rulers. As a member of Justinian’s bodyguard, he came to the emperor’s attention, and he was appointed to a command at about the age of 25. He first enlisted in the army under the Byzantine emperor Justin I (r. 518-527 CE) and, upon Justin’s death, his successor, Justinian I, awarded Belisarius full command of the army. His reputation endured for centuries, and later legends, often mixed with stories about others, developed about him. In 537 this pope was deposed by Belisarius. In Procopius’s Secret History (Historia arcana), Belisarius is given the least unfavourable treatment of the age’s leading personalities. Back in Constantinople, Belisarius was as popular as ever – far more than Justinian I. In 535 CE Belisarius was sent against the Ostrogoths in Italy. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. Partially restored to favour in 563, he was left in peace until his death, a few months before the death of the ungrateful emperor he had served so well. As a teenage recruit in the Byzantine army, he proved himself an able soldier and obviously made an impression on his superiors because he was elevated in rank during the reign of Justin I and soon after commanded the emperor’s personal bodyguard. For instance, the date for Christmas, December 25, comes from the cult of Mithras which was popular amongst Roman legions toward the … A Military History of the Western World. Even though Belisarius had never given Justinian I any cause, the emperor grew suspicious of his loyalty. We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. "Belisarius." Revitalized under their new king, Witigis, the Goths besieged Rome in 537–538, but Belisarius held out there brilliantly. Belisarius pretended to accept their proposal but, loyal to Justinian I and knowing himself an abler soldier than statesman, went along with all their preparations to crown him at Ravenna and then had the ringleaders of the plot arrested and claimed all of the Ostrogoth Empire, and all of the treasury, in Justinian I’s name. Ancient History Encyclopedia. The Ostrogoths from the Migration Period to the Sixth Century: An Ethnographic... Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West, 376 - 568. In the early 500s, Justin—a high-ranking military commander in Constantinople (now Istanbul)—took Justinian under his wing. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Belisarius quickly took Sicily and moved steadily northward on the mainland, seizing Naples by storm and occupying Rome. Gibamund then charged without waiting for Gelimer and was defeated by the Byzantine cavalry. The Roman Empire had been divided by the Emperor Theodosius I into an Eastern and Western state. One of the most important achievements of Diocletian was the “tetrarchy” – ruling of four. As one of the last important figures in the Roman military tradition, he led imperial armies against the Sasanian empire (Persia) and the Vandal kingdom of North Africa, among others. Belisarius highlighted Totila’s reputation as an honorable and merciful general who spared cities and those he had defeated and warned that, if he went ahead with his plan to destroy Rome and execute his prisoners, his good name would forever be tarnished. Why Justinian picked Belisarius is hard to fathom, except that Belisarius was a handsome, dashing trooper and, more important, he had married a close friend of the Empress Theodora. He is remembered as one of the greatest military commanders in history and, as Durant notes, is regularly compared with the most celebrated generals of all time. His chivalrous conduct toward the people of North Africa won their trust and they provided him with supplies and intelligence. That is also why the National Geographic Society sponsored my Hannibal field research – sending me to every Hannibal battle site and to Carthage in Tunisia, along with Spain, France, Italy and even Turkey where Hannibal concluded his dramatic life – and also why Simon and Schuster published my biography Hannibal this summer. Gelimer fled the field in the face of the Byzantine onslaught, and his troops then fell into a panic and broke ranks. On his return from the Eternal City, the Belisarius painting gained him entrance to the French Académie (1781) and, for the next 30 years, David was Europe’s most important painter . In 533 CE, Belisarius embarked with 5,000 cavalry, 10,000 infantry, 20,000 sailors on a fleet of 500 warships, and 92 smaller warships rowed by 2,000 slaves. 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