Belisarius

Timeline

1. c. 505–527Germania Moesia (present-day western Bulgaria) · MoesiaBorn in the Thracian frontier region, Belisarius entered the Eastern Roman imperial guard as a youth, rose steadily to officer rank, and won the favor of the crown prince Justinian, receiving independent military commands and displaying outstanding tactical talent.
2. 527–532Dara (present-day Mardin Province, Turkey) · Northern MesopotamiaIn 530 Belisarius defeated a Persian army of about 40,000 with roughly 15,000 men at Dara, a great victory that established him as the empire's foremost general. He suffered a setback at Callinicum in 531 but retained Justinian's trust. During the Nika riot of 532 he loyally led troops to suppress the revolt, saving the emperor's reign.
3. 533–534Carthage · MaghrebIn 533 Belisarius led some 15,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry on an expedition to North Africa, destroying the Vandal Kingdom within a single year, capturing King Gelimer, and returning North Africa to the empire. On his return to Constantinople he was granted a grand triumph, the first commander in centuries to receive the honor.
4. 535–549Ravenna · Italian PeninsulaFrom 535 Belisarius led troops into Italy under the Ostrogothic Kingdom, successively capturing Sicily, Naples, and Rome, and taking the Gothic capital Ravenna in 540, capturing King Witiges. Recalled for want of supplies and political suspicion, he campaigned again in 544 but remained hampered by insufficient forces, finally withdrawing to Constantinople in 549.
5. 559–565Constantinople · ThraceIn 559 the aged Belisarius took the field for the last time, successfully repelling the Cutrigur Huns who had invaded Thrace, demonstrating undiminished military talent. In 562 he was accused of involvement in a conspiracy against the emperor, stripped of property and offices, and later partly rehabilitated after investigation. He died in Constantinople around 565, almost the same year as Justinian I.