Belisarius
(Flavius Belisarius)
505–565Belisarius was one of the greatest military leaders of the Late Roman Empire, and one of the last to thoroughly exemplify the classic Roman military virtues. He succeeded in reconquering much of the territory that had been lost by the Western Empire during the previous century, and for a time it seemed that the Roman Empire might be re-established under the headship of Constantinople. Because of jealousies within the empire, poor administration of the reconquered provinces, and continued barbarian incursions into imperial territory however, many of his gains were lost within a generation. Belisarius is strongly associated with Emperor Justinian, and in his later career, after both his military genius and loyalty to the emperor had been well established, he suffered much from Justinian's jealousy. Had Justinian supported the greatest general of his age instead of sabotaging and obstructing his progress, the empire may possibly have been saved.
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Once the Vandal Kingdom of Africa had been conquered, Justinian turned his eyes to Italy, with the idea of reclaiming territory that had been lost with the fall of the Western Empire. Although the Ostrogoths had originally conquered Italy with support from the Eastern Empire, they had governed independently for nearly fifty years. Belisarius took charge of the Byzantine campaign against Vitiges, the Ostrogoth king. He first took Italy, then Rome, and finally the Ostrogoth capital of Ravenna. The Goths were so impressed with his leadership they offered to make him king of Italy, but he declined out of loyalty to Justinian. But when in 540, he returned to Constantinople, after a 10 year career of victories that had greatly enhanced the emperor's dominions, he was treated with guarded suspicion instead of gratitude.
A few years later he returned to campaign in Persia, but was called away before accomplishing anything by a new crisis in Italy. The Goth's had rebelled under Totila, the newly appointed King of the Ostrogoths. Instead of supplying Belisarius with the support and troops to put down the rebellion however, he was starved of supplies and resources by Justinian, who was wary of providing the hero will the military means to conquer. The Gothic War in Italy, therefore dragged on for over ten years, and a great deal of the country was laid to waste. Eventually Justinian recalled Belisarius altogether. Another Roman general did finally defeat the Ostrogoths, but only twelve years of Byzantine rule, Italy was invaded by the Lombards and there was no army or resources to resist. In spite of the heroic leadership of Belisarius, the Gothic War proved to be a disaster for Italy, and the Byzantine Empire.
On his return to Constantinople, Belisarius was stripped of his command and lived in retirement for several years until a Bulgarian horde crossed the Danube. One last time Belisarius came to the rescue of his country, although he was, as usual, starved for resources by Justinian. After successfully driving off the Barbarians Belisarius was once again accused of disloyalty, stripped of his command and imprisoned by the ever-suspicious Justinian. He was eventually exonerated, but died a few years later. A legend has it, that Justinian blinded him and Belisarius spent his few remaining years as a beggar, but this story is likely an exaggeration what truly was a disgraceful instance of jealousy and ingratitude.
Key events during the life of Belisarius:
| Birth of Belisarius | |
| Served as a bodyguard of Justinian | |
| Won a critical victory over the Persians at the Battle of Daras. | |
| Put down a rebellion in Constantinople. | |
| Led and expedition against the Vandal kingdom in Africa and captured Carthage | |
| Invaded Sicily | |
| Took Rome and defended it against the a Gothic Army. | |
| Took the Ostrogoth capital of Ravenna. | |
| Offered the Emperorship of the West, by the Ostrogoths, but declined. | |
| Returned to Constantinople. | |
| Campaigned in Persia. | |
| Returned to Italy to recover kingdom lost to the Goths. | |
| Defends Rome from Gothic attacks. | |
| Recalled from Italy; replaced by Narses | |
| Repelled and invasion of Bulgarian savages from the Balkans. | |
| Accused of a conspiracy against Justinian. Fortune confiscated. | |
| Restored to favor. | |
| Death of Belisarius. |
Other Resources
| Guardians of Rome in | A Child's Book of Warriors by William Canton |
| Soul of Justinian in | A Child's Book of Warriors by William Canton |
| Rise and Fall of Justinian's Empire in | The Story of Europe by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall |
Image Links | ||
|---|---|---|
 Do not show yourself, he said, 'but harken.' in A Child's Book of Warriors |
Belisarius besieges Ravenna in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
Belisarius carrying his son after his eyes were put out by Emperor Justinian in Back Matter |
Belisarius receiving alms in Back Matter |
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| Justinian the Great | Ruled Byzantine Empire for 40 years. Well known for legal reforms known as Code of Justinian. |
| Empress Theodora | Born in humble circumstances, she married Justinian the Great and became his trusted advisor. |
| Antonina | Wife of Belisarius and close friend of Empress Theodora. |
| Narses | Roman general who replaced Belisarius' command in Italy. |
| Vitiges | Gothic general who led armies against Rome and was resisted by Belisarius. |
| Totila | Raised to be king of Ostrogoths, after Witiges was captured. Tried to take back Italy from Byzantines. |