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The Last Great Roman General? Belisarius and the Wars of Justinian (All Parts)

Epic History・75 minutes read

Emperor Justinian faces various challenges in Byzantine Empire, relying on trusted general Belisarius to secure his reign amid riots and internal conflicts. Belisarius leads successful military campaigns against the Persians and Ostrogoths, eventually restoring Rome to the Roman Empire under strategic maneuvers and decisive victories.

Insights

  • Constantinople faced chaos in 532 AD, with citizens rioting and setting fires, prompting Emperor Justinian to rely on his trusted general, Belisarius, to save his reign.
  • Belisarius, a skilled commander, led Roman forces with heavy cavalry and infantry, emphasizing loyalty and reliability among his troops.
  • Rome underwent military overhauls, recruiting 'barbarians' as mercenaries and federates, while historian Procopius praised Belisarius's victories but later revealed scandalous details in the 'Secret History.'
  • Belisarius achieved strategic victories against the Persians despite setbacks, showcasing his tactical prowess in battles and his ability to adapt to challenging situations.
  • Belisarius's campaigns in North Africa and Italy, though marked by successes and failures, demonstrated his dedication to the Roman Empire, with his final campaign led by Narses decisively ending the war in Italy.

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Recent questions

  • Who was Emperor Justinian's trusted general during times of chaos in Constantinople?

    Belisarius was Emperor Justinian's trusted general during the tumultuous period in Constantinople when citizens were rioting and chaos threatened the city.

  • What military tactics did Belisarius employ to secure victories against the Persians?

    Belisarius utilized strategic positioning, hidden troops, and decisive attacks to secure victories against the Persians, despite being outnumbered in battles.

  • How did Belisarius handle the siege of Rome against the Goths?

    Belisarius faced a huge Goth army led by Vitigis during the siege of Rome, where his strategic maneuvers and reinforcements ultimately led to the defeat of the Goths and the return of the city to the Roman Empire.

  • What challenges did Belisarius face during his campaign in North Africa?

    Belisarius faced challenges such as deaths from tainted supplies, the need to maintain good relations with locals, and the importance of discipline and justice to his troops during his campaign in North Africa.

  • How did Belisarius contribute to the defense of Constantinople against the Kutrigurs?

    Belisarius was summoned by Emperor Justinian to defend Constantinople against the Kutrigurs, where he gathered veterans and volunteers to ambush and defeat the invading Kutrigurs, securing a significant victory for the Eastern Roman Empire.

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Summary

00:00

Justinian's Reign: Chaos, Triumph, and Betrayal

  • 532 AD: Constantinople, the greatest city, is in chaos with citizens rioting, murdering officials, and setting fires, leading Emperor Justinian to fear for his reign.
  • Empress Theodora supports Justinian as the crowds acclaim a new emperor, Hypatius, prompting Justinian to turn to his trusted general, Belisarius, to save his regime.
  • Justinian aims to restore harmony in the Christian church and reform Roman law, facing challenges from the Persian Sassanid Empire and the Balkan frontier.
  • Belisarius, a young commander, leads a new Roman army with heavy cavalry, including clibanarii and cataphracti, and infantry forming a secure base for attacks.
  • Roman archers use powerful composite bows, while the best troops, bucellarii, are handpicked for loyalty and reliability.
  • Rome recruits 'barbarians' as mercenaries and federates, overhauling its military organization with central field armies and regional forces.
  • Historian Procopius, a key witness, praises Belisarius in his work "History of the Wars," but later reveals a scandalous 'Secret History.'
  • 530 AD: Belisarius faces a Persian army at Dara, using strategic positioning and tactics to defeat them despite being outnumbered.
  • The battle sees Roman and Persian cavalry clashes, with Belisarius utilizing hidden troops and decisive attacks to secure victory.
  • Belisarius wins a brilliant victory over the Persians, but later faces a disastrous battle at Callinicum, where Rome suffers a humiliating defeat.

17:53

Belisarius' Role in Justinian's Military Campaign

  • Procopius recounts Belisarius' involvement in organizing the infantry retreat, while another source suggests he was among the first to flee, highlighting a serious error in succumbing to pressure to engage in an unnecessary battle.
  • Belisarius is relieved of his command and summoned back to Constantinople, where Justinian is compelled to pay a subsidy and negotiate a peace agreement with Persia, specifically with Khosrow, the son of the deceased King Kavadh, who is destined to become a formidable rival to the Romans.
  • Major riots erupt in Constantinople the following year, instigated by the Hippodrome factions, the Greens and Blues, initially seeking the release of imprisoned comrades but escalating to calls for a new emperor, Hypatius, likely orchestrated by Justinian's Senate rivals.
  • Theodora's bold stance against fleeing the capital inspires Justinian to confront the riots head-on, leading to Belisarius and Mundus being tasked with quelling the revolt mercilessly, resulting in an estimated death toll of 30,000 individuals.
  • Justinian's throne is secured temporarily due to Theodora and Belisarius' actions, emphasizing the critical importance of loyalty from generals to a Roman Emperor.
  • Justinian, aiming to assert his legitimacy and divine favor, plans a military campaign to reclaim Rome's lost territories from barbarians, entrusting this mission solely to Belisarius.
  • The Vandals, under King Geiseric, posed a significant threat to Rome, culminating in the sack of Rome in 455, but later relations between Emperor Justinian and Vandal king Hilderic were surprisingly amicable, despite religious differences.
  • A coup in the Vandal Kingdom led by Gelimer prompts Justinian to wage war against the Vandals, with the recovery of North Africa's riches and a desire for a military victory driving his decision.
  • Despite warnings from advisors and generals about the risks of a seaborne operation, Justinian proceeds with the campaign, appointing Belisarius as the commander of a relatively small but experienced army, including various mercenaries and his wife, Antonina.
  • Belisarius embarks on the expedition to North Africa in June 533, emphasizing the importance of discipline and justice to his troops, facing challenges such as deaths from tainted supplies and the need to maintain good relations with locals to secure their support.

35:07

Belisarius Conquers Carthage and Defeats Vandals

  • Belisarius waits till dawn before entering Carthage to avoid ambush
  • His troops behave well during the peaceful occupation of the wealthy city
  • Belisarius sits on Gelimer’s throne and attends to local citizens' requests
  • Tzazo puts down Sardinian revolt and returns with 5,000 men to reinforce Gelimer
  • Gelimer advances on Carthage, leading to a battle at Tricamarum
  • Romans are caught off guard by Vandals while making lunch but eventually win
  • Belisarius orders his army to attack, leading to the Vandals fleeing with heavy losses
  • Gelimer flees towards the mountains, pursued by Roman forces
  • Hunger and promises of comfort lead Gelimer to surrender to Belisarius after three months
  • Belisarius returns to Constantinople with prisoners and loot, dispelling rumors of founding his own kingdom

52:45

Belisarius Defeats Goths, Recaptures Rome

  • The city of Rome is challenging to defend, leading the Goths to abandon it due to the crumbling Aurelian Walls, which are too long for a small army to hold easily.
  • Belisarius, with only 7,000 men, sends detachments to garrison key strongholds along the Via Flaminia to delay the Goth advance.
  • In Rome, preparations for a siege are hurriedly made, including repairing walls, digging a moat, filling granaries, and conscripting all adult male citizens into the city guard.
  • Vitigis, learning of Belisarius's small army, orders his reinforced army to march on Rome to arrive before Belisarius can escape.
  • Belisarius faces a huge Goth army led by Vitigis, with probably more than 30,000 men, at the Salarian Bridge, but his infantry abandons the bridge, leaving him with just a thousand horsemen.
  • Belisarius orders a charge against the Goths, leading to heavy fighting near the Porta Salaria, where he is initially denied entry into the city.
  • The siege of Rome begins, with Vitigis building fortified camps north of the city and cutting off the aqueducts, leading to a shortage of baths but still having drinking water from wells.
  • The Goths attack Rome with rams, ladders, and siege towers, but their inexperience in siege warfare is evident as their towers are stranded after the Romans shoot the oxen pulling them.
  • Belisarius receives reinforcements, including cavalry, Huns, Slavs, and Isaurians, which boosts Roman morale and frustrates the enemy.
  • The siege of Rome ends after a year and nine days, with Belisarius's strategic maneuvers leading to the defeat of the Goths, ultimately returning the city to the Roman Empire.

01:10:43

Belisarius' conquests and cunning in Italy.

  • Narses suggests an immediate advance into Aemilia to gain more territory from the Goths.
  • Belisarius reveals a letter from the Emperor, granting him sole command of the army.
  • The army splits into factions, each following its strategy, but Vitigis fails to exploit the situation.
  • Milan, held by 300 Roman troops, faces a siege by the Goths and Burgundians.
  • Milan's citizens suffer starvation, resorting to eating mice and dogs.
  • Belisarius orders a force to aid Milan, but they halt at the River Po due to the Burgundian force.
  • The garrison of Milan surrenders, leading to the city's plunder and destruction.
  • Justinian recalls Narses to Constantinople, giving Belisarius undisputed command in Italy.
  • Belisarius besieges Goth strongholds, eventually forcing Faesulae and Auximum to surrender.
  • Belisarius secures Ravenna, leading to a peaceful entry and distribution of grain, but he deceives the Goths about his intentions.

01:28:19

Belisarius's Strategic Triumphs in the East

  • Belisarius decides to target the Persian city of Nisibis, hoping to lure out the garrison and defeat them in battle to enter the city.
  • Belisarius camps 5 miles from Nisibis, strategically close enough to tempt the Persians to attack but far enough to prevent easy retreat.
  • Roman commander Peter, camping too close to Nisibis, ignores Belisarius's warning and is attacked by the Persian commander Nabedes.
  • Peter's force is hit by Persian cavalry, resulting in 50 men killed and the loss of a Roman standard.
  • Belisarius arrives with reinforcements, drives off the Persians, and captures the Persian fort at Sisauranon.
  • Belisarius orders Al-Harith's Arabs and 1,200 bucellarii to raid deep into Assyria, encountering little resistance and much plunder.
  • Belisarius's troops are exhausted by extreme summer heat, with a third sick and facing the threat of Arab raiding season.
  • Belisarius withdraws back into Roman territory after achieving as much as possible with his limited force.
  • Belisarius races back to the eastern front upon learning of Khosrow's impending invasion, using the Roman postal service to expedite his journey.
  • Belisarius bluffs Khosrow into retreat, saving the empire from plunder, and pillage, possibly due to the discovery of a plague in the Empire.

01:46:14

Belisarius and Totila: Rome's Fate Decided

  • Belisarius's victory over the Ostrogoths is followed by the collapse of the Eastern Roman position in Italy.
  • The Goths select Totila as their new king, a brilliant warrior who leads them to victory against a weakened Roman army.
  • Belisarius, facing a formidable enemy in Totila, struggles with limited troops, supplies, and money in Italy.
  • Belisarius sends an urgent appeal to Emperor Justinian for reinforcements, especially his famed bucellarii troops.
  • Totila advances on Rome, held by a small Roman garrison, while Belisarius plans to relieve the city with a river assault.
  • Belisarius's attempt to save Rome fails due to a lack of support from the garrison and a diversionary attack that never occurs.
  • Belisarius's subsequent illness and mistaken belief that Portus has fallen lead to a failed attempt to retake the city.
  • Rome falls to Totila, who spares most of the inhabitants but plans to raze the city before changing his mind.
  • Belisarius, after recovering from illness, decides to reoccupy Rome, facing doubts about holding the empty city.
  • Narses, not Belisarius, leads the final Roman campaign in Italy, defeating Totila decisively and ending the war.

02:04:59

Belisarius Defeats Kutrigurs, Faces Tragic Downfall

  • Kutrigurs, Turkic warrior nomads, have been a threat to the Eastern Roman Empire, with Justinian using bribes, fortifications, and diplomacy to deter them.
  • In 559, Kutrigurs, led by Zabergan, move towards Constantinople, with 7,000 men splitting into three groups.
  • Justinian summons Belisarius to defend the city, who gathers 300 veterans and volunteers to ambush and defeat the Kutrigurs.
  • Belisarius wins a significant victory but later faces disgrace due to an assassination plot, leading to a medieval legend about his punishment.
  • Belisarius dies in 565, with his wife's fate unknown, and Procopius, a historian, writes both a public and scandalous account of the times, criticizing Justinian and others.
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