Belisarius: The Defender of the Byzantine Empire

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Flavius Belisarius (505-565 CE), a Byzantine general under Justinian I, succeeded in winning countless victories and notably expanded the Byzantine Empire. Despite the fact that he was a successful, advanced leader, Belisarius ended his life shunned from the public.
Flavius Belisarius was born in Germania, Illyria in 505 CE. Very little is known about his ethnic background, but some traditions say he was of Slavic background (Barker 1). He was assigned under Justinian's command when he was about twenty-five years old, and he was awarded full command of the army (Barker 1). He led armies against the Sāsānian Empire (Persia), the Vandal Kingdom (North Africa), the Ostrogoths (Italy), and the other barbaric tribes that intruded Constantinople during Justinian's reign (Mark 1).
Belisarius is known as one of the “Last of the Romans” because he perfectly embodied the best of the values of the Roman Empire (Mark 1). The general won his first laurels in 530 CE, after a great victory at Dara against the Sāsānian Empire. This battle occurred because hostilities between the empires had resurfaced in the previous competitions for control of the trade routes to Central Asia and India. The empires had lived in peace for 150 years before these trade battles resumed (Durant 108). Belisarius rose above as the hero of war, despite his defeat the following year (Barker 1). The Nika revolt broke out in Constantinople in January 532, and he successfully put it out by massacring the rioters. During this time, he married an old friend of the empress Theodora, Antonia, but shortly after, she passed away (Barker 1). Also in 532, Justinian was able to make peace with Persia by paying Khrosru Anushirvan, while Belisarius prepared to win back Africa...

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...sprang into action one last time during the decline of his life. In 559, Hun tribes terrorized the city and he was called back into service. He successfully frightened the Huns away despite his lack of men, and then resumed his previous retirement. Belisarius was sent to prison in 562 after being accused of corruption (Mark 1). Justinian decided to pardon him though, and he was soon released and given a position in the Byzantine Court. He was left in peace for three years before being accused of conspiring in a plan to take Justinian’s life (Mark 1). There are many myths about Belisarius’ life in later years, but only one widely believed and popular myth. Many say that Justinian actually had him blinded and he spent his time as a beggar in Constantinople. His wealth and favor was partially restored in 563, and he was left in peace until his death in 565 CE (Mark 1).

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