Belisarius

Also known as Flavius Belisarius

Flavius Belisarius (; ; March 565) was a military commander of the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian I. Belisarius was instrumental in the reconquest of much of the Mediterranean territory belonging to the former Western Roman Empire, which had been lost less than a century prior. He is considered one of the greatest military commanders of Byzantium and in history generally.

AI overview

Belisarius was a top military commander under Byzantine Emperor Justinian I who led successful campaigns to reclaim Mediterranean lands that had belonged to the Western Roman Empire but were lost roughly a century earlier. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest military commanders in Byzantine and world history.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Person · Open Library

Works: 1

Top works

Incerti scriptoris carmen de Belisario Graeco-romaicum, primum ed. e cod. MSTO Parisiensi J.A. Giles

via Open Library + Wikidata

Listeners · Last.fm

Listeners: 366
Total plays: 2,835

Recent publications · Crossref

3 total works indexed

via Crossref · CC0

Quotes

“For not by numbers of men, nor by measure of body, but by valor of soul is war to be decided.”
“Nothing is more shameful than to fall in with the plans of the enemy.”
“In warfare, it is the unexpected which is accustomed to govern the course of events.”

via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA

Key facts

Military person.width_style: person
Military person.image: Belisarius mosaic.jpg
Military person.caption: Belisarius is generally considered to be this bearded figure on the left of Emperor Justinian I in the mosaic in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, which celebrates the reconquest of Italy by the Roman army.
Military person.birth_place: , Moesia
Military person.death_date: March 565 (aged 64)
Military person.death_place: Rufinianae, Chalcedon, Bithynia
Military person.placeofburial: Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Constantinople
Military person.allegiance: Eastern Roman Empire
Military person.branch: Eastern Roman army
Military person.battles: Iberian War (526–532) Nika riots (532) Vandalic War (533–534) Siege of Carthage (536) Gothic War (535–554) Lazic War (541) Battle of Melantias (559)
Military person.spouse: Antonina
Military person.children: Ioannina

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image: Belisarius by Francois-Andre Vincent.jpg
Number of children: 1

Show 5 more facts

date of birth: 0505-00-00
Commons category: Belisarius
Commons gallery: Belisarius
name in native language: Flavius Belisarius
date of death: 0565-00-00

Sources (4)

via Wikidata · CC0

~76 min read

Article

37 sections

Contents

Early life and career
Iberian War
Nika riots
Vandal War
Prelude
Belisarius appointed
Belisarius' army
Voyage to Africa
Campaign
Battle of Ad Decimum
Carthage and Tricamarum
Mutiny
Gothic War
Siege of Rome
Deposition of Pope Silverius
Belisarius and Narses
Finishing the conquest
Later campaigns
Against Persia
Return to Italy
Last battle
Later life
Assessment
Tactics
Strategies
Character
Overall performance
Battle record
Legend as a blind beggar
See also
Notes
References
Sources
Primary sources
Secondary sources
Further reading
External links

One of the defining features of Belisarius' career was his success despite varying levels of available resources. He is frequently cited as being among the "Last of the Romans". He conquered the Vandal Kingdom of North Africa in the Vandalic War in nine months and conquered much of Italy during the Gothic War. He also defeated the Vandal armies in the battle of Ad Decimum and played an important role at Tricamarum, compelling the Vandal king, Gelimer, to surrender. During the Gothic War, despite being significantly outnumbered, he and his troops recaptured the city of Rome and then held out against great odds during the siege of Rome.