Belisarius (c. 505–565)

East Roman general who led Rome's reconquest of the West. Though given inadequate resources by the jealous emperor Justinian I, Belisarius achieved notable victories against the Persians, Huns, Vandals, and Goths.

Born in the Balkans, Belisarius served in the emperor's bodyguard, and at age 25 received command of the Roman army in the East. He defeated a superior force of Persians at Daras in 530 and although he was defeated at Callinicum in 531 his reputation remained high. His firm action during the Nika riots in Constantinople in 532 saved Justinian from being overthrown. His greatest and most complete triumph was the rapid conquest of the Vandal North African kingdom in 533–34 with only 15,000 men. In the campaign against the Ostrogoths in Italy that followed, Belisarius secured Sicily with barely a struggle then, following a brief interlude to deal with a rebellion in Africa, took Naples and Rome. In 537 he showed great personal courage, inventiveness, and leadership to hold Rome against a Gothic siege. After throwing the Goths back from the walls of Rome, he took the offensive and forced the surrender of the Gothic king Witiges at Ravenna. The Goths offered to make Belisarius the western emperor, but he refused.

Despite Belisarius' loyalty, Justinian saw him as a potential rival and recalled him to deal with a Persian threat in the East. Over three years Belisarius recovered lost Roman territories in Syria and Mesopotamia in a war of manoeuvre with no major battles. Belisarius' absence from Italy led to a Gothic resurgence and he was sent back to deal with it, but Justinian remained suspicious and refused to give him enough troops to destroy the Gothic kingdom completely. After five years of fruitless campaigning, Belisarius was recalled and replaced by Narses who brought the campaign to a successful conclusion.

Belisarius was recalled from retirement in 559 to defeat an army of Slavs and Bulgars who had invaded Moesia and Thrace and reached the walls of Constantinople. Despite saving the capital, Belisarius continued to arouse the emperor's jealousy and he was charged with treason and imprisoned in 562. Although later released, he was never again employed in Imperial service. He died 13 March 565.

Belisarius' generalship has, in modern times, been compared with the truly great military commanders. A close look at his achievements, however, reveals that although he was without doubt an inspiring and resourceful leader, his generalship was questionable at times. He despised his infantry and was unable to combine infantry and cavalry to maximum effect. On several occasions he showed carelessness. During the march to Carthage in 533 his reconnaissance was weak and he blundered into a battle at Ad Decimum without being fully prepared.