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).
Did Justinian impact life as we know it because he is such a great ruler, or is he just a follower who keeps trying to hold on to the loose threads of a fallen empire? Some might say that without Justinian, humanity is a step further back. Others may argue evermore that Justinian is a two-faced liar who you cannot trust (Doc. 2). Contrary to many beliefs, Justinian creates a new Byzantine Empire after the fall of Rome that is influential to many different cultures, more advanced and educated than Rome, and more economically thriving than the Roman Empire.
Roman Emperor Constantine I founded the Byzantine Empire in 330 CE as a continuation of the Roman Empire in the east. The characteristics of the empire led to the modern definition of “Byzantine,” which means “strangely complicated.” This was true, as in the Byzantine Empire was very chaotic, complex, and strange at times, but it was very massive and influential worldwide. The empire heavily influenced modern religion, laws, and engineering making it worthwhile learning about the empire.
of the Greek armies and was forced to wander for ten years until he was reunited
3. I often waged war, civil and foreign, on the earth and sea, in the whole wide world, and as victor I spared all the citizens who sought pardon. As for foreign nations, those which I was able to safely forgive, I preferred to preserve than to destroy. About five hundred thousand Roman citizens were sworn to me. I led something more than three hundred thousand of them into colonies and I returned them to their cities, after their stipend had been earned, and I assigned all of them fields or gave them money for their military service. I captured six hundred ships in addition to those smaller than triremes.
Procopius, The Secret History (Byzantine). 1. What is the difference between a. and a. The document Procopius, The Secret History, is about the Byzantine society. This document was written by Procopius, a historian.
name was Tineius Rufus, he was the general that put down the uprising of the
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Justinian was born a barbarian, probably born of Slavic parents in Illyia. We know nothing of his early years except that his uncle adopted him. His uncle was Justin I, the emperor of Constantinople. Then in 527 A.D., Justin made Justinian a co-ruler. Four months later, when Justin died, Justinian became the sole emperor.
Shuckburgh, Evelyn Shirley. A history of Rome to the battle of Actium. London: Macmillan and Co., 1917.
Rome, even at its beginnings, proved to be a force to be reckoned with. It’s rapid growth and accumulation of power and repeated victories over powerful neighbors set Rome in a position of great authority and influence. As the leader of early Rome, Romulus’ effective command of his men and governance of his people provided the foundation for the building of a great city. Livy emphasizes Romulus’ possible divine origins and strong ties to deities as a validation and reinforcement of his ability to rule. A nation’s sole defense cannot be just bricks and mortar, it requires an army and a will and Romulus was able to successfully take action against the aggressors when action was needed.
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During his early adult live, he worked as a personal aide for Marcus Thermus, who at that time was the governor of the Asian Province. He was then later sent to King called Bithynia by Thermus, to fetch a fleet. And was later suspected of having a false deal with the king of Bithynia. In his early political life he served for Serviliys Isaricus in Cilicia. His exposure to the military made him popular and made him...